Material was touching (4)

I believe the answer is:

felt

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

This might be a double definition.

'material' is the first definition.
(felt is a kind of material)

'touching' is the second definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'was' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for felt that I've seen before include "Soft fabric; touched" , "Considered" , "Fabric - perceived by touch" , "Material - perceived by touch" , "checked by hand" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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