Crossword Genius

Sign about half the population wants leader ousted (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

omen

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

'sign' is the definition.
(I know that omen is a type of sign)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for omen that I've seen before include "Warning - sign" , "Augur" , "Portent of things to come" , "Foreshadow" , "Harbinger, augury" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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