Crossword Genius

A lovable rogue, primarily (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

above all

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

'a lovable rogue' is the wordplay.
'rogue' indicates anagramming the letters (letters go rogue).
'lovable' with letters rearranged gives 'boveall'.
'a'+'boveall'='ABOVE ALL'

(Other definitions for above all that I've seen before include "What 18 [EVEREST] is" , "Notably" , "Supremely" , "omnipotent?" , "at the end of the day?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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