A way you could describe Five Children and It? (9)

I believe the answer is:

relations

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'a way' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for relations that I've seen before include "Kith" , "Sex" , "liaison" , "dealings" , "accounts" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.

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