Affectionate, yearn to embrace the little girl (6)

I believe the answer is:

loving

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'affectionate' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'yearn to embrace the little girl' is the wordplay.
'yearn' becomes 'long-' (synonyms).
'to embrace' indicates putting letters inside.
'the little girl' becomes 'vi' (short for Violet. I am not sure about the 'little' bit.).
'long' going around 'vi' is 'LOVING'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for loving that I've seen before include "Showing great affection" , "See 13" , "'Friday's child is . . . . . . and giving'" , "Affectionate and amorous" , "Doting" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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