Crossword Genius

Primitive creature getting a second English degree? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

amoeba

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

'primitive creature' is the definition.
'amoeba' can be an answer for 'creature' (I have seen 'Microscopic animal' mean 'amoeba' so perhaps 'animal' could also mean 'amoeba'). I'm unsure of the 'primitive' bit.

'a second english degree?' is the wordplay.
'second' becomes 'mo' (both are short periods of time).
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'degree?' becomes 'BA' (Bachelor of Arts).
'a'+'mo'+'e'+'ba'='AMOEBA'

'getting' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for amoeba that I've seen before include "parasitic type" , "Protozoan life form" , "Protozoan of ever-changing shape" , "Single-celled form of life of ever-changing shape" , "Unicellular living thing" .)

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