Crossword Genius

Commotion made by strange cat having tail docked (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rumpus

'commotion' is the definition.
(I know that commotion can be written as rumpus)

'by strange cat having tail docked' is the wordplay.
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'strange' becomes 'rum' (synonyms).
'cat' becomes 'puss' (puss is a kind of cat).
'having tail docked' means to remove the last letter.
'puss' with its last letter taken off is 'pus'.
'rum' next to 'pus' is 'RUMPUS'.

'made' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for rumpus that I've seen before include "To-do" , "Making a fuss" , "Hullabaloo" , "Tumult" , "Noisy, disruptive commotion" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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