Queen's broken toe is tender (5)

I believe the answer is:

quote

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'tender' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'queen's broken toe' is the wordplay.
'queen' becomes 'qu' (abbreviation for queen).
'broken' indicates anagramming the letters.
'toe' is an anagram of 'ote'.
'qu'+'ote'='QUOTE'

'is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for quote that I've seen before include "That's what was said" , "Cite - likely cost of work to be done" , "quantify the damage" , "Give estimate of (price)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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