Crossword Genius

Like a cat, giving sign to a number (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

leonine

'like a cat' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'giving sign to a number' is the wordplay.
'giving' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'sign' becomes 'leo' (star sign).
'to a number' becomes 'nine' (nine is a number).
'leo' next to 'nine' is 'LEONINE'.

(Other definitions for leonine that I've seen before include "Like the king of the jungle" , "None lie (anag) - like a lion" , "Like a beast with a mane, perhaps" , "Imposing like a lion" , "Beastly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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