Stroke backfires (5)
I believe the answer is:
serif
'stroke' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'backfires' is the wordplay.
'SERIF' is hidden backwards in amongst the letters.
However, I am uncertain how this is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for serif that I've seen before include "Little bit of character" , "Short line at the end of the main strokes of a printed character" , "Feature in some fonts" , "Stroke's foot" , "Letter feature" .)