Cried when many a weed was rampant (5)
I believe the answer is:
mewed
'a weed was rampant' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'cried when many' is the wordplay.
'cried' becomes 'mew' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'when' becomes 'e' (I've seen this in other clues).
'many' becomes 'd'.
'mew'+'e'+'d'='MEWED'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mewed that I've seen before include "Made cat noise" , "confined" , "cried pitifully" , "made catty remark" .)