Crossword Genius

A patient, in the beginning, has little hunger (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

appetite

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

'hunger' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a patient in the beginning has little' is the wordplay.
'a patient in the beginning has' becomes 'ap' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'little' becomes 'petite' (similar in meaning).
'ap'+'petite'='APPETITE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for appetite that I've seen before include "Physical need for food" , "Physical desire as for food" , "enthusiasm" , "Desire, inclination" , "Keenness for food" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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