Crossword Genius

A lovable eccentric primarily (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

above all

'primarily' is the definition.
(above all can mean primarily or especially)

'a lovable eccentric' is the wordplay.
'eccentric' indicates an anagram.
'lovable' anagrammed gives 'boveall'.
'a'+'boveall'='ABOVE ALL'

(Other definitions for above all that I've seen before include "Especially" , "What 18 [EVEREST] is" , "Mainly" , "at the end of the day?" , "Shakespeare: 'This . . . . . . . ., to thine own self be true'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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