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Irritable like a horrible child having lost book (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ratty

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'irritable' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for ratty that I've seen before include "Waspish" , "Short-tempered" , "Moley's friend" , "Bad-tempered, irritable as a rodent" , "Irritable, peevish" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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