It may kill when provoked, initially (3)

I believe the answer is:

asp

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'it may kill' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'when provoked initially' is the wordplay.
'when' becomes 'as' (eg 'when I walked' means 'as I walked').
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'provoked' is 'p'.
'as'+'p'='ASP'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for asp that I've seen before include "the snake in Cleopatra''s bosom" , "Slithery thing" , "something at the zoo" , "Snake, killed Cleopatra" , "creeper" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.

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