Former lover with abundant special specimens (8)
I believe the answer is:
examples
'specimens' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'former lover with abundant special' is the wordplay.
'former lover' becomes 'ex' (an ex-lover).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'abundant' becomes 'ample' (associated in meaning).
'special' becomes 'S' (common abbreviation as in Special Air Service).
'ex'+'ample'+'s'='EXAMPLES'
(Other definitions for examples that I've seen before include "They illustrate general rules" , "They're characteristic of their kind" , "Specimens" , "Illustrative warnings" , "Expels ma for pieces of conduct worthy of imitation" .)