Crossword Genius

Ructions over the odd tailless cat (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rumpus

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'ructions over' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'odd tailless cat' is the wordplay.
'odd' becomes 'rum' (rum can mean strange or dubious).
'tailless' means to remove the last letter (the tail of the word is removed).
'cat' becomes 'puss' (puss is a kind of cat).
'puss' with its final letter removed is 'pus'.
'rum'+'pus'='RUMPUS'

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rumpus that I've seen before include "Row" , "To-do" , "Noisy brawl" , "Tumult" , "Uproar or angry dispute" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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