Crossword Genius

Macho fellow I caught exerting bad influence (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

malefic

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'exerting bad influence' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'macho fellow i caught' is the wordplay.
'macho' becomes 'male' (macho means aggressively masculine).
'fellow' becomes 'f' (abbreviation - of a society etc.).
'caught' becomes 'c' (cricket abbreviation).
'male'+'f'+'i'+'c'='MALEFIC'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for malefic that I've seen before include "Baleful" , "Having an evil influence" , "Causing harm" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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