Former lover, large specimen (7)

I believe the answer is:

example

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

'former lover large' is the wordplay.
'former lover' becomes 'ex'.
'large' becomes 'ample' (similar in meaning).
'ex'+'ample'='EXAMPLE'

(Other definitions for example that I've seen before include "Precedent" , "Typical specimen" , "Thing illustrating a general rule" , "Model - instance" , "lesson" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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