Crossword Genius

Word for a tailless wild leopard (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

parole

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'word' is the definition.
(I know that word can be written as parole)

'for a tailless wild leopard' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' is present in the answer.
'for' could be 'pro' (as in being 'pro' something) and 'pro' is present in the leftover letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for parole that I've seen before include "Conditional release from imprisonment" , "Temporary release (of a prisoner)" , "Conditional release from prison" , "(One's) word" , "Word - condition of liberty" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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