Crossword Genius

Crowd threw rest at villain (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

monster

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'villain' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'crowd threw rest at' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'crowd' could be 'm' and 'm' is located in the answer.
an anagram of 'rest' is 'ster' which is located in the answer.
'at' could be 'on' (location) and 'on' is present in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for monster that I've seen before include "Something abnormally large and powerful" , "Huge - beast" , "Fabulous creature" , "Fabulous beast" , "Large, ugly and frightening imaginary creature" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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