Sounding bell after time gives hint (7)
I believe the answer is:
inkling
'hint' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for inkling that I've seen before include "Slight hint or suspicion" , "Slight suggestion or vague understanding" , "Faint notion" , "Thought" , "Suspicion, hunch" .)