Crossword Genius

Problem in a rising display of hostility (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

animus

'display of hostility' is the definition.

'problem in a rising' is the wordplay.
'problem' becomes 'sum' (arithmetic problem).
'rising' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (going up in a down clue).
'sum'+'in'+'a'='sumina'
'sumina' back-to-front is 'ANIMUS'.

(Other definitions for animus that I've seen before include "Motivating spirit" , "spirit of hostility" , "US man I turn to with hostility" , "Hostile feeling" , "Bad blood" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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