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Irate, took food to excess (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

intemperate

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'excess' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'irate took food' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'took' could be 'ate' (eating is a kind of taking) and 'ate' is found within the answer.
'food' could be 'e' (E is an example) and 'e' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for intemperate that I've seen before include "unrestrained" , "Lacking self-control" , "wild" , "Drinking alcohol to excess" , "consuming alcohol to excess" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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