Rookie acted strangely (5)

I believe the answer is:

cadet

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'rookie' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'acted strangely' is the wordplay.
'strangely' indicates an anagram.
'acted' with letters rearranged gives 'CADET'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cadet that I've seen before include "young soldier" , "Police force trainee" , "Trainee cop" , "Tomboy" , "not the heir" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.

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