Crossword Genius

Parasite initially found close to meadow (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

flea

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

'parasite' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Tiny parasite ' mean 'flea' so perhaps 'parasite' could also mean 'flea')

'initially found close to meadow' is the wordplay.
'initially found close' becomes 'f' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'to meadow' becomes 'lea' (I've seen this before).
'f'+'lea'='FLEA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for flea that I've seen before include "Member of a circus?" , "In one's ear, it's a stinging rebuke" , "Wingless, jumping insect" , "Bloodsucking parasite" , "Insect (which you don't want in your ear!)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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