Crossword Genius

Catcall without purpose picked up (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

miaow

'catcall' is the definition.

'without purpose picked up' is the wordplay.
'without' becomes 'wo' (abbreviation of 'without', normally with a slash).
'purpose' becomes 'aim' ('aim' can be a synonym of 'purpose').
'picked up' says the letters should be written backwards.
'wo'+'aim'='woaim'
'woaim' written backwards gives 'MIAOW'.

(Other definitions for miaow that I've seen before include "Kitty's going" , "How Persian might go" , "beastly sound" , "catty remark" , "Sound like a cat" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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