One takes time; he receives one fine (5)
I believe the answer is:
thief
'one takes time he receives one fine' is the definition.
The answer is a person as well as being a singular noun. This is suggested by the definition.
'time he receives one fine' is the wordplay.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'receives' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'one' becomes 'i' (roman numeral).
'fine' becomes 'f' (abbreviation).
'he' placed around 'i' is 'hie'.
't'+'hie'+'f'='THIEF'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for thief that I've seen before include "Aus. or Scots city" , "One's inclined to take" , "Larcenist" , "nicker?" , "Burglar, say" .)