Crossword Genius

Applause? I contribute to it, ousting Liberal in contest (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

handicap

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'it ousting liberal in contest' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'applause? i contribute' is the wordplay.
'applause?' becomes 'hand' (as in giving someone a big hand).
'contribute' becomes 'cap' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'hand'+'i'+'cap'='HANDICAP'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for handicap that I've seen before include "Block" , "golfer's measure of skill" , "It impedes or hinders" , "Hold back" , "Impairment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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