Crossword Genius

Like a tyrant? Roman emperor is this following October (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

avian

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'tyrant? roman emperor is this following october' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are adjectives, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'like a' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for avian that I've seen before include "Birdlike" , "To do with birds - like a dangerous flu" , "Relating to birds" , "Resembling a bird" , "Lizard with adhesive foot-pads" .)

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