Crossword Genius

Hoteliers lost stray cat perhaps (13)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tortoiseshell

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'cat perhaps' is the definition.
'tortoiseshell' can be an answer for 'cat' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'perhaps' bit.

'hoteliers lost stray' is the wordplay.
'stray' indicates anagramming the letters.
'hoteliers'+'lost'='hotelierslost'
'hotelierslost' with letters rearranged gives 'TORTOISESHELL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tortoiseshell that I've seen before include "The case of the slow-moving" , "Butterfly - yellow-brown mottled material" , "Ornamental material" , "Butterfly - cat" , "Mottled plated ornamental substance" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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