Crossword Genius

Alternatively, a politician's rhetorical skill (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oratory

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'rhetorical skill' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'alternatively a politician's' is the wordplay.
'alternatively' becomes 'or'.
'politician' becomes 'tory' (I've seen this before).
'or'+'a'+'tory'='ORATORY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for oratory that I've seen before include "Private chapel; art of public speaking" , "School" , "Rhetoric - chapel" , "formal speech" , "Eloquent language" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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