Crossword Genius

Snake able to use a certain amount of hypnotism (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

python

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

'snake' is the definition.
(I know that python is a type of boa)

'able to use a certain amount of hypnotism' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'amount' could be 'th' (Th is an example) and 'th' is present in the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for python that I've seen before include "Tropical non-venomous snake" , "Heavy-bodied snake" , "Big snake that crushes its prey" , "Dragon killed by Apollo at Delphi" , "Large non-venomous snake" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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