Told off (8)
I believe the answer is:
numbered
'told off' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with communicating as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
This is the entire clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for numbered that I've seen before include "If one's days are ........, there's not long to live" , "Counted" , "Assigned a numeral" , "Designated" , "Enumerated" .)