Breaks in Japanese verses (6)
I believe the answer is:
severs
'breaks' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'in japanese verses' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'SEVERS' is hidden in the letters of 'japanese verses'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for severs that I've seen before include "Cuts or breaks off" , "Cut off from a whole" , "splits" , "Divides by cutting" , "Parts" .)