Crossword Genius

Sap distressed reptile (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

asp

'reptile' is the definition.
(asp is a kind of reptile)

'sap distressed' is the wordplay.
'distressed' indicates anagramming the letters.
'sap' anagrammed gives 'ASP'.

(Other definitions for asp that I've seen before include "Egyptian cobra" , "Cleopatra's poisoner" , "Venomous snake" , "Cold-blooded killer" , "One secreting poison" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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