Are rulers here ignored to some extent? (5)

I believe the answer is:

reign

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'are' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'rulers here ignored to some extent?' is the wordplay.
'to some extent?' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen 'to some extent' mean this).
'REIGN' is hidden within 'rulers here ignored'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for reign that I've seen before include "Rule of monarch" , "Dominion" , "Control" , "Monarch's period" , "Prevail" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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