Commenting about pattern (9)
I believe the answer is:
remarking
'commenting' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with communicating as well as being present participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'about pattern' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'about' could be 're' ('re' means regarding or about) and 're' is found in the answer.
'pattern' could be 'marking' (marking is a kind of pattern) and 'marking' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for remarking that I've seen before include "Observing, commenting," , "Mentioning" , "Saying" , "Making comments" .)