Crossword Genius

Expand length and sound menacing (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

growl

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'and sound menacing' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'expand length' is the wordplay.
'expand' becomes 'grow' (to grow is to expand in size).
'length' becomes 'l' (abbreviation in geometry).
'grow'+'l'='GROWL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for growl that I've seen before include "Hostile murmur" , "Sound of hostile animal" , "Threatening dog's noise" , "threatening sound" , "Emit low rumbling sounds" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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