Crossword Genius

Stroke misfires (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

serif

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'stroke' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'misfires' is the wordplay.
'SERIF' is hidden back-to-front in amongst the letters.
However, I am not sure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for serif that I've seen before include "stroke of the pen" , "One feature of text" , "Short line at the end of the main strokes of a printed character" , "Little bit of character" , "Brazil port" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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