Quite a few leavers on a spree (7)

I believe the answer is:

several

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

'quite a few' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'leavers on a spree' is the wordplay.
'leavers' anagrams to 'SEVERAL'.
But, I am unsure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for several that I've seen before include "Various, sundry" , "three or four" , "Divers" , "Sundry, distinct" , "quite a lot" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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