Crossword Genius

These tanned guys will touch a natural curve without crossing it (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tangents

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

'touch a natural curve without crossing it' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'these tanned guys' is the wordplay.
'these tanned' becomes 'tan' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'guys' becomes 'gents' (I've seen this in another clue).
'tan'+'gents'='TANGENTS'

'will' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tangents that I've seen before include "Straight lines - ten gnats (anag)" , "Straight lines that touch curves" , "Touching lines" , "Straight lines that touche curves" , "Straight lines that touch but don't intersect a curve" .)

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