Crossword Genius

Hoarse sounding utterance? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

neigh

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

'utterance?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'hoarse sounding' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'sounding' could be 'e' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'e' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'nigh' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for neigh that I've seen before include "Whinnying sound" , "Equine utterance" , "nicker" , "sound from the stable?" , "beastly noise" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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