Traitor runs a temperature (3)

I believe the answer is:

rat

'traitor' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'runs a temperature' is the wordplay.
'runs' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'temperature' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'r'+'a'+'t'='RAT'

(Other definitions for rat that I've seen before include "Destructive rodent" , "person doing shopping" , "Unpopular rodent" , "Change sides" , "Contemptible person" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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