Crossword Genius

Starts watching an innkeeper feed poor, neglected child (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

waif

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'neglected child' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'starts watching an innkeeper feed' is the wordplay.
'starts' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'watching an innkeeper feed' is 'WAIF'.

'poor' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for waif that I've seen before include "An unowned or abandoned child" , "Homeless child - thin person" , "Orphan" , "Neglected, homeless child" , "Neglected or orphaned child" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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