Crossword Genius

Macho, maybe, and somewhat malevolent? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

male

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'macho maybe' is the definition.
(I know that macho is a type of male)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for male that I've seen before include "Maldives capital; masculine" , "As are drakes, bulls etc." , "man?" , "One cannot have babies" , "A gender" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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