Crossword Genius

Dawdle and pretend to be ill with mum absent (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

linger

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'dawdle' is the definition.
(I know that dawdle can be written as linger)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for linger that I've seen before include "Delay departure" , "'Loiter, delay leaving (6)'" , "Dally, stay on" , "Remain behind" , "Hang about, don't be in a hurry to go" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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