Crossword Genius

Work a very large amount with an animal (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opossum

'an animal' is the definition.
(opossum is a kind of animal)

'work a very large amount' is the wordplay.
'work' becomes 'op' (common abbreviation for 'opus').
'a very large' becomes 'os' (abbreviation for oversize).
'amount' becomes 'sum' (synonyms).
'op'+'os'+'sum'='OPOSSUM'

'with' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for opossum that I've seen before include "Type of marsupial" , "Large marsupial" , "American native" , "Small Australian marsupial" , "Small arboreal marsupial" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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