Crossword Genius

True alarm spreading about unknown non-resident (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

extramural

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

'non-resident' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'true alarm spreading about unknown' is the wordplay.
'spreading' indicates an anagram.
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'unknown' becomes 'x' (algebra).
'true'+'alarm'='truealarm'
'truealarm' is an anagram of 'etramural'.
'etramural' enclosing 'x' is 'EXTRAMURAL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for extramural that I've seen before include "outside city limits" , "Not on course" , "What may be a wide painting" , "outside city walls" , "Taking place off campus?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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