Crossword Genius

Activity that makes oxen tire (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exertion

'activity' is the definition.
(exertion is a kind of activity)

'makes oxen tire' is the wordplay.
'makes' is an anagram indicator.
'oxen'+'tire'='oxentire'
'oxentire' with letters rearranged gives 'EXERTION'.

'that' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for exertion that I've seen before include "labour" , "Tire oxen with heavy effort" , "Strenuous activity" , "Strain" , "Use of physical energy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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