Tory, thick, to become thicker? (8)

I believe the answer is:

condense

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'become thicker?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'tory thick' is the wordplay.
'tory' becomes 'con' (abbreviation for Conservative).
'thick' becomes 'dense' (synonyms).
'con'+'dense'='CONDENSE'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for condense that I've seen before include "cut down" , "Make more concentrated or compact" , "Abbreviate" , "Make more concise" , "Abridge" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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