Just the smallest bit stale, perhaps (5)

I believe the answer is:

least

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'just the smallest bit' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'stale perhaps' is the wordplay.
'perhaps' is an anagram indicator.
'stale' with letters rearranged gives 'LEAST'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for least that I've seen before include "Most insignificant" , "Fewest" , "Being lowest in importance - gone stale" , "Superlatively little" , "Superlative form of 'little'" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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