Crossword Genius

Smoke, say, ignoring English scoundrel (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cur

'scoundrel' is the definition.
(cur can mean a despicable person)

'smoke say ignoring english' is the wordplay.
'smoke say' becomes 'cure' (I've seen this in another clue).
'ignoring' is a deletion indicator.
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'cure' with 'e' taken away is 'CUR'.

(Other definitions for cur that I've seen before include "Aggressive mongrel" , "Surly dog (or person)" , "A worthless dog or contemptible person" , "Vicious dog" , "Scoundrel; mongrel dog" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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