Crossword Genius

Old man from the east with little desire for food? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

appetite

'desire for food?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'old man from the east with little' is the wordplay.
'old man' becomes 'pa' (both can mean father).
'from the east' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'little' becomes 'petite' ('petite' can be similar in meaning to 'little'**).
'pa' written backwards gives 'ap'.
'ap'+'petite'='APPETITE'

(Other definitions for appetite that I've seen before include "Desire or liking, for power or food" , "stomach" , "demand" , "Hunger or zeal" , "Natural desire to satisfy a need" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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