Curse dead rodent (4)

I believe the answer is:

drat

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'curse' is the definition.
The definition and answer are not the same part of speech.

'dead rodent' is the wordplay.
'dead' becomes 'd' (abbreviation in government records).
'rodent' becomes 'rat' (rat is a kind of rodent).
'd'+'rat'='DRAT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for drat that I've seen before include "Expression of annoyance on DART" , "Blow!" , "that expresses annoyance" , "Expression of mild annoyance" , "Curse it!" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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