Crossword Genius

A father ranted about cruel form of punishment (3-3-7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tar-and-feather

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

'cruel form of punishment' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'a father ranted about' is the wordplay.
'about' is an anagram indicator.
'a'+'father'+'ranted'='afatherranted'
'afatherranted' is an anagram of 'TAR-AND-FEATHER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for tar-and-feather that I've seen is " Punish with humiliating coverings".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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