Crossword Genius

Get a bit ill (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ail

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'ill' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'get a bit' is the wordplay.
'get' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'bit' becomes 'il' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'a' put next to 'il' is 'AIL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ail that I've seen before include "Sicken" , "Afflict -- feel unwell" , "pain" , "Trouble, afflict; be sickly" , "Worry" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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