Crossword Genius

Jumping insect pursuing old sailor (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

saltant

'jumping' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'insect pursuing old sailor' is the wordplay.
'insect' becomes 'ant' (ant is a kind of insect).
'pursuing' says to put letters next to each other.
'old sailor' becomes 'salt' (old-fashioned nickname for a sailor).
'ant' after 'salt' is 'SALTANT'.

(Another definition for saltant that I've seen is " Changed form".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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