When approached, Edward conceals a terrible lack (7)
I believe the answer is:
tackled
'when approached' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with social activities as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'edward conceals a terrible lack' is the wordplay.
'edward' becomes 'ted' ().
'conceals' indicates putting letters inside.
'a terrible' indicates anagramming the letters.
'lack' with letters rearranged gives 'ackl'.
'ted' placed around 'ackl' is 'TACKLED'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tackled that I've seen before include "Challenged head-on as in rugby" , "Confronted" , "Undertaken" , "Intercepted (in soccer)" , "Grappled with" .)