Show hesitation in a way many may be rude about (5)
I believe the answer is:
demur
'show hesitation in a way' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'many may be rude about' is the wordplay.
'many' becomes 'm' (Roman numeral for a thousand).
'may be' indicates anagramming the letters.
'about' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'rude' with letters rearranged gives 'deur'.
'm' put into 'deur' is 'DEMUR'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for demur that I've seen before include "Object gently" , "Protest mildly, show reluctance" , "Politely disagree" , "Protest or disagree mildly" , "Protest mildly, object" .)