Scrap given to dog, reportedly, in America, by way of an incentive, possibly (5)
I believe the answer is:
bonus
'scrap given' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to thinking as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'dog reportedly in america by way of an incentive possibly' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'america' could be 'us' (United States) and 'us' is located in the answer.
'way' could be 'n' (Compass direction - North) and 'n' is located in the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'b' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bonus that I've seen before include "Payment additional to the expected or usual" , "Premium" , "Extra pay, perhaps at Christmas?" , "Money on top of wages or salary" , "Extra money paid for good performance" .)