Crossword Genius

Form of tinned spaghetti that is rings covered in sauce (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hoop

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'form of tinned spaghetti' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'rings covered in sauce' is the wordplay.
'rings' becomes 'oo' (two O's - O resembles a ring).
'covered in' is an insertion indicator.
'sauce' becomes 'HP' (HP is a condiment brand).
'oo' going inside 'hp' is 'HOOP'.

'that is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hoop that I've seen before include "Rigid circular band" , "Metal ring for croquet and basketball" , "Circular band, in basketball, say" , "Wood, metal or plastic band" , "Ring of wood - arch at croquet" .)

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