Maybe a stable housing animal (5)

I believe the answer is:

beast

'animal' is the definition.
('beast' can be a synonym of 'animal')

'maybe a stable housing' is the wordplay.
'housing' says the answer is hidden in the clue (part of the clue houses the answer).
'BEAST' is hidden in the letters of 'maybe a stable'.

(Other definitions for beast that I've seen before include "Traditional poet" , "Nasty type" , "Large animal -- objectionable person" , "horse?" , "Bully" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app