Crossword Genius

Lost time moving on English parasite (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mistletoe

'parasite' is the definition.
(mistletoe is a kind of parasite)

'lost time moving on english' is the wordplay.
'moving' indicates anagramming the letters.
'on' is an insertion indicator (as in clothing 'on' a person).
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'lost'+'time'='losttime'
'losttime' with letters rearranged gives 'mistltoe'.
'mistltoe' placed around 'e' is 'MISTLETOE'.

(Other definitions for mistletoe that I've seen before include "Stole mite from the Christmas plant" , "Parasitic shrub for Christmas" , "Christmas berry" , "tempting a smack?" , "Christmas kissing plant" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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