Public figure giving hint (8)
I believe the answer is:
overtone
'hint' is the definition.
(overtone can mean an implication or hint)
'public figure' is the wordplay.
'public' becomes 'overt' (both can mean well-known or unconcealed).
'figure' becomes 'one' (a numerical figure).
'overt'+'one'='OVERTONE'
'giving' is the link.
(Other definitions for overtone that I've seen before include "Hint" , "Subtle implication or connotation" , "Innuendo perhaps" , "Suggestion" , "Association" .)