Fastening used by first of noblemen, ill (7)
I believe the answer is:
nailing
'fastening' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being present participle verbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'by first of noblemen ill' is the wordplay.
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'first of noblemen' becomes 'n' (1st letter of 'noblemen').
'ill' becomes 'ailing' (similar in meaning).
'n' put next to 'ailing' is 'NAILING'.
'used' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nailing that I've seen before include "Securely pinning" , "Securing" , "Tacking" , "Fixing" , "Catching" .)