Crossword Genius

Fake illness a gremlin concocted (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

malinger

'fake illness' is the definition.

'a gremlin concocted' is the wordplay.
'concocted' indicates an anagram.
'a'+'gremlin'='agremlin'
'agremlin' anagrammed gives 'MALINGER'.

(Other definitions for malinger that I've seen before include "Pretend to be sick" , "Slack in germinal fashion" , "Germinal (anag.)" , "Avoid duty by pretending sickness" , "skive off school, maybe" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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