The sleep I have is fitful (7)

I believe the answer is:

restive

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'fitful' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'the sleep i have' is the wordplay.
'the sleep' becomes 'rest' (synonyms).
'i have' becomes 'I've' (contraction of 'I have').
'rest'+'ive'='RESTIVE'

'is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for restive that I've seen before include "Unable to stay still" , "Unable to keep still" , "Fidgety, uneasy" , "Uneasy, nervous" , "Impatient of authority" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.

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