Clue: Disjointed noun used in scary process of meeting a new partner! (6)
Answer: DATING
Explanation: Definition: process of meeting a new partner
="process of meeting a new partner". *Edit, credit Blaise:* "Disjointed noun" gives no-un, i.e. no **un** used in DA**un**TING="scary"
 
*Original parsing: *This is a noun, disjointed from its use in intimiDATING="scary" [and it's the only noun that can be disjointed from the larger word]