Prayed at intervals before an ode of joy (5)
I believe the answer is:
paean
'ode of joy' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'prayed at intervals before an' is the wordplay.
'at intervals' indicates alternate letters (letters taken at regular intervals).
'before' says to put letters next to each other.
The alternate letters of 'prayed' are 'pae'.
'pae'+'an'='PAEAN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for paean that I've seen before include "Triumphal song" , "Song of thanksgiving" , "Hymn of praise" , "work building up" , "Anthem" .)