Female star shortened jumper (4)

I believe the answer is:

flea

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'female star shortened jumper' is the definition.
'flea' can be an answer for 'jumper' (something that jumps). I'm not certain of the 'female star shortened' bit.

'star shortened jumper' is the wordplay.
'star' becomes 'f' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'shortened' means to remove the last letter.
'jumper' becomes 'lead' ('lead' can be a synonym of 'jumper').
'lead' with its final letter taken away is 'lea'.
'f'+'lea'='FLEA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for flea that I've seen before include "Little jumper?" , "Wingless, jumping insect" , "Little jumping insect" , "Leaping insects" , "one is proverbially fit" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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