A striking character (5)
I believe the answer is:
punch
This clue might be a double definition.
'a striking' is the first definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'character' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for punch that I've seen before include "Puppet character, drink and tool for making holes" , "Hook, maybe" , "Seaside puppet character" , "buffoon" , "Strike with fist" .)