Crossword Genius

Shrink from the act of touching physically, right through (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

contract

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

'shrink' is the definition.
(I know that shrink can be written as contract)

'act of touching physically right through' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is found in the answer.
'right' could be 'r' (common abbreviation) and 'r' is found within the answer.
an anagram of 'act' is 'tac' which is present in the remaining letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'from the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for contract that I've seen before include "Agree - reduce" , "Come down with" , "Become smaller" , "Arrangement to commit murder" , "Make smaller" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app