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Indistinct muttering right over pub in centre (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rhubarb

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'indistinct muttering' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.

'right over pub in centre' is the wordplay.
'right' says to take the final letters (I've seen 'right of' mean this (letter on the rightmost end of the word)).
'pub' becomes 'bar' (both are drinking establishments).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'centre' becomes 'hub' (hub is a kind of centre).
The last letter of 'over' is 'r'.
'bar' going within 'hub' is 'hubarb'.
'r'+'hubarb'='RHUBARB'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rhubarb that I've seen before include "confused mutter" , "Stalks edible when cooked" , "Plant with thick stalks that are cooked in desserts" , "this stick is to be swallowed" , "Reddish leafstalks cooked and sweetened" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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