Crossword Genius

Uncle Anselm's eating puts weight on the shoulders (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cleans

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

'weight on the shoulders' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'uncle anselm's eating' is the wordplay.
'eating' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'CLEANS' is hidden within 'uncle anselm'.

'puts' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cleans that I've seen before include "Valets" , "Frees from dirt" , "Washes, removes dirt" , "See 14" , "Tidies up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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