Clara Peggotty's parrot? (3)

I believe the answer is:

ape

'parrot' is the definition.
(both can mean to imitate)

'clara peggotty's' is the wordplay.
'APE' is hidden within the letters.
But, I am not sure how this is indicated.

(Other definitions for ape that I've seen before include "Our cousin" , "Simulate" , "Take off" , "Mimic the primate" , "gorilla" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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