Write off note kid returned (5)
I believe the answer is:
total
'write' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'off note kid returned' is the wordplay.
'off note' becomes 'la' (I've seen this in other clues. I am not sure about the 'off' bit.**).
'kid' becomes 'tot' (tot is a kind of kid).
'returned' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'la'+'tot'='latot'
'latot' reversed gives 'TOTAL'.
(Other definitions for total that I've seen before include "Whole, complete" , "wreck" , "Complete; add up" , "to give the final figure" , "given by 8 [ADDING MACHINES]" .)