Crossword Genius

Appeal touchingly (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cadge

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

'appeal' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cadge that I've seen before include "Get money by sponging" , "Scrounge, sponge" , "Sponge (money, etc)" , "Scrounge (money, etc)" , "freeload" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app