Crossword Genius

A French kiss referred to as indifferent (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

unexcited

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'indifferent' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'a french kiss referred to' is the wordplay.
'a french' becomes 'une' ('a' in French).
'kiss' becomes 'x' (X can represent a kiss).
'referred to' becomes 'cited' ('cite' can be a synonym of 'refer to').
'une'+'x'+'cited'='UNEXCITED'

'as' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for unexcited that I've seen before include "Impassive" , "Not emotionally roused" , "Showing little emotion" , "In need of stimulation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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