Crossword Genius

Beat guy touching a single point (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tangent

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

'touching a single point' is the definition.
'tangent' can be an answer for 'touching' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'a single point' bit.

'beat guy' is the wordplay.
'beat' becomes 'tan' (tan can mean to beat or hit).
'guy' becomes 'gent' (I've seen this in another clue).
'tan'+'gent'='TANGENT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tangent that I've seen before include "Line touching circumference" , "line in mathematics" , "mathematician's line" , "What people often go off at!" , "Straight line that touches but does not intersect a curve" .)

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