Crossword Genius

Tot playing in a pen, in the home (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cottage

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'the home' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'tot playing in a pen' is the wordplay.
'playing' indicates anagramming the letters.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'a pen' becomes 'cage' (I've seen this before).
'tot' is an anagram of 'ott'.
'ott' put inside 'cage' is 'COTTAGE'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cottage that I've seen before include "Small house, in the country say" , "Small home" , "bungalow" , "Cheese pie industries all may chase this" , "Small place" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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