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With the exception of the local clique (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

barring

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'with the exception of' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'local clique' is the wordplay.
'local' becomes 'bar' (one's local pub).
'clique' becomes 'ring' (I've seen this in another clue).
'bar'+'ring'='BARRING'

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for barring that I've seen is " Except for".)

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