Crossword Genius

Medical officer to exploit timid creature (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mouse

'timid creature' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'medical officer to exploit' is the wordplay.
'medical officer' becomes 'MO' (abbreviation).
'to exploit' becomes 'use' (use is a kind of exploit).
'mo'+'use'='MOUSE'

(Other definitions for mouse that I've seen before include "Shy individual" , "Timid creature" , "Domestic rodent" , "computer operator" , "Wimp" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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