Crossword Genius

Network expert to meddle with an animal (6,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spider monkey

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

'network expert' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'meddle with an animal' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'an' could be 'i' (Roman numeral for one) and 'i' is found in the answer.
'animal' could be 'monkey' (monkey is a kind of animal) and 'monkey' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spider monkey that I've seen before include "Long-limbed simian" , "climber" , "Rainforest dweller" , "primate" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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