A loathsome creature; repel it somehow (7)

I believe the answer is:

reptile

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'a loathsome creature' is the definition.
'reptile' can be an answer for 'creature' (reptile is a kind of creature). I am not sure about the 'a loathsome' bit.

'repel it somehow' is the wordplay.
'somehow' is an anagram indicator.
'repel'+'it'='repelit'
'repelit' with letters rearranged gives 'REPTILE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for reptile that I've seen before include "Turtle, for example" , "Malignant creature" , "Cold-blooded animal like lizard or snake" , "Despicable sort" , "Cold-blooded beast" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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