I denigrate a Cypriot, maybe (8)

I believe the answer is:

islander

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'a cypriot maybe' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'i denigrate' is the wordplay.
'denigrate' becomes 'slander' (synonyms).
'i'+'slander'='ISLANDER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for islander that I've seen before include "man in Ibiza?" , "person from Cuba?" , "Eg, Haitian or Cretan" , "Sicilian, e.g." , "I snarled at one surrounded by water" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.

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