Crossword Genius

Right method introduced to smother rodent (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dormouse

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'rodent' is the definition.
(I know that dormouse is a type of rodent)

'right method introduced to smother' is the wordplay.
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'method' becomes 'MO' (modus operandi, a particular method).
'introduced to' indicates putting letters inside.
'smother' becomes 'douse' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'r'+'mo'='rmo'
'rmo' put inside 'douse' is 'DORMOUSE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dormouse that I've seen before include "one falling asleep over tea" , "Small British rodent" , "Partygoer" , "Sleepy guest at the Mad Hatter's tea party" , "Ditto" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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