Sounding bell after time's gone is hint (7)
I believe the answer is:
inkling
'is hint' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for inkling that I've seen before include "Clue" , "Glimmering of notion" , "Intimation" , "Faint idea" , "Vague idea" .)