Crossword Genius

It's tricky to demean a worm (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nematode

'a worm' is the definition.
(nematode is a kind of worm)

'it's tricky to demean' is the wordplay.
'it's tricky' indicates an anagram.
'to'+'demean'='todemean'
'todemean' is an anagram of 'NEMATODE'.

(Other definitions for nematode that I've seen before include "Long thin worm such as threadworm" , "Type of worm" , "sort of animal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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