I've been hit in fight with epée, ultimately (5)
I believe the answer is:
touch
'i've' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for touch that I've seen before include "Handle; feel" , "Deftness" , "Pinch" , "Come into contact with" , "Side beyond playing area" .)