Way out beginning with small tragedy (6)
I believe the answer is:
pathos
'tragedy' 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?
'way out beginning with small' is the wordplay.
'way' becomes 'path' (synonyms).
'beginning' indicates taking the first letters.
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
The initial letter of 'out' is 'o'.
'path'+'o'+'s'='PATHOS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pathos that I've seen before include "Quality that arouses sympathy" , "Quality of attracting pity" , "The quality moves one to pity" , "Power to excite tender emotion" , "Pitifulness" .)