Crossword Genius

Touching a pet, itch terribly (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pathetic

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

'a pet itch terribly' is the wordplay.
'terribly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'a'+'pet'+'itch'='apetitch'
'apetitch' with letters rearranged gives 'PATHETIC'.

(Other definitions for pathetic that I've seen before include "Feeble; inspiring pity" , "Distressing" , "Sort of fallacy" , "Derisory" , "Miserably inadequate - way to tip cheat" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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