Crossword Genius

Picking up inclination to underpin gravity (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gleaning

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

'picking up' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being present participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'inclination to underpin gravity' is the wordplay.
'inclination' becomes 'leaning' (leaning is a kind of inclination).
'to' says to put letters next to each other (I've seen this in other clues).
'underpin gravity' becomes 'g' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'leaning' after 'g' is 'GLEANING'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for gleaning that I've seen is " farm work".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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