Crossword Genius

Animal doctor taking in almost all for a male personal servant (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

valet

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

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

'animal doctor taking in almost all' is the wordplay.
'animal doctor' becomes 'vet' (veterinarian).
'taking in' indicates putting letters inside.
'almost' means to remove the last letter (most of the word but not all of it).
'all' with its final letter taken off is 'al'.
'vet' placed around 'al' is 'VALET'.

'for a male' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for valet that I've seen before include "Batman" , "Clean inside" , "Man's servant" , "Personal manservant" , "Man's personal attendant" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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