Crossword Genius

Prissy little chap, but original (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

primal

'original' is the definition.
('primal' can be a synonym of 'original')

'prissy little chap' is the wordplay.
'prissy' becomes 'prim' ('prim' can be a synonym of 'prissy').
'little' means to remove the last letter (the word is not quite complete).
'chap' becomes 'mal' (**).
'prim' with its final letter taken away is 'pri'.
'pri'+'mal'='PRIMAL'

'but' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for primal that I've seen before include "typifying some fear?" , "Primitive or fundamental" , "Of an early stage of development" , "Most important (scream therapy?)" , "Original or primitive" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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