Mean to be understanding? (8)
I believe the answer is:
grasping
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'mean' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)
'be understanding?' is the second definition.
(to grasp something is to understand it)
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for grasping that I've seen before include "Miserly; seizing" , "Holding" , "Greedy, avaricious" , "avaricious attitude" , "Gangs rip, being greedy" .)