A little angel, free spirit (3)

I believe the answer is:

elf

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

'a little angel free' is the wordplay.
'a little' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'ELF' can be found hidden inside 'angel free'.

(Other definitions for elf that I've seen before include "Magical being" , "Fairy, pixie" , "Mischief-maker" , "Supernatural creature of folk tales" , "Small creature" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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