Crossword Genius

Surprise the Parisian after dawn (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

startle

'surprise' is the definition.
(to startle someone is to surprise or shock them)

'the parisian after dawn' is the wordplay.
'the parisian' becomes 'le' (definite article in French).
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'dawn' becomes 'start' (the dawn of something is the start of it).
'le' put after 'start' is 'STARTLE'.

(Other definitions for startle that I've seen before include "Take unawares with rattles" , "Alarm (someone)" , "Cause to feel sudden alarm" , "Astonish" , "Surprise with starlet" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun and The Times.
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