Crossword Genius

Beast found in dry enclosure, initially (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

brute

'beast' is the definition.
('brute' can be a synonym of 'beast')

'dry enclosure initially' is the wordplay.
'dry' becomes 'brut' (type of wine).
'initially' says to take the initial letters.
The first letter of 'enclosure' is 'e'.
'brut'+'e'='BRUTE'

'found in' is the link.

(Other definitions for brute that I've seen before include "Nasty person, a real beast" , "Beast - "Et tu ____ !"" , "Cruelly rapacious person" , "Savage person" , "Cruel person" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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