Crossword Genius

'Kept by tame owners', as pet would say? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

meow

'as pet would say?' is the definition.
(cats go meow)

'kept by tame owners' is the wordplay.
'kept by' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'MEOW' is hidden within 'tame owners'.

(Other definitions for meow that I've seen before include "Tom's plea for attention" , "Cat's cry" , "Catty remark" , "Crying sound of an animal" , "Cry of a cat" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app