Crossword Genius

Dad's upset, having little enthusiasm (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

appetite

'enthusiasm' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'dad's upset having little' is the wordplay.
'dad' becomes 'pa' ('pa' can be a synonym of 'dad').
'upset' says the letters should be written backwards.
'having' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'little' becomes 'petite' ('petite' can be similar in meaning to 'little'**).
'pa' reversed gives 'ap'.
'ap'+'petite'='APPETITE'

(Other definitions for appetite that I've seen before include "Desire, inclination" , "thirst" , "Physical need for food" , "Hunger or zeal" , "Natural craving" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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