Mustered and raised to a whole number (7,2)
I believe the answer is:
rounded up
'mustered' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'raised to a whole number' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'raised' could be 'up' (similar in meaning) and 'up' is located in the answer.
'number' could be 'round' (I have seen 'number of drinks' mean 'round' so perhaps 'number' could also mean 'round') and 'round' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?