Crossword Genius

Stiffener making a funny sound (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

humerus

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'stiffener' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'a funny sound' is the wordplay.
'a funny' becomes 'humorous' (I've seen this before).
'sound' shows a homophone (sound like).
'humorous' is a homophone of 'HUMERUS'.

'making' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for humerus that I've seen before include "Bone from shoulder to elbow" , "Upper-arm bone" , "Arm bone (that sounds comical)" , "Boneo of the upper arm" , "Arm bone - the "funny bone"" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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