Crossword Genius

React like many given a terrible scare (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scream

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

'react' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'many given a terrible scare' is the wordplay.
'many' becomes 'm' (Roman numeral for a thousand).
'given' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a terrible' indicates an anagram.
'scare' is an anagram of 'screa'.
'm' put after 'screa' is 'SCREAM'.

'like' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for scream that I've seen before include "Make a piercing sound" , "Hilarious character" , "Scar me (anag)" , "Sound terrified" , "Howl, shriek" .)

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