The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word PALPABLE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
P
A
L
P
A
B
L
E
More clues leading to the result PALPABLE
- Obvious two friends will carry book, English
- Obvious two friends will have adopted British English
- Friend with Very light secures British patent
- Bachelor, defended by two friends with energy, is possibly touched
- Plain china, black with white exterior
- Obvious moral story in which a king gets taken out by companion
- Roll up large white covers, which can be felt
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "possibly touched" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case possibly touched = palpable.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PALPABLE mean?
PALPABLE adjective- Capable of being touched, felt or handled; touchable, tangible.
- Obvious or easily perceived; noticeable.
- That can be detected by palpation.