Crossword Genius

The least you can get from little Malcolm (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

minimal

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'the least' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'little malcolm' is the wordplay.
'little' becomes 'mini'.
'malcolm' becomes 'mal' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'mini'+'mal'='MINIMAL'

'you can get from' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for minimal that I've seen before include "Very small, the least possible (7)" , "Of the least possible size" , "Very little" , "Of a smallest amount" , "barely worth considering" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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