Crossword Genius

Attractive person, dear to the French, seizing power (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

charmer

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

'attractive person' is the definition.
'charmer' can be an answer for 'person' (charmer is a kind of person). I am unsure of the 'attractive' bit.

'dear to the french seizing power' is the wordplay.
'dear to the french' becomes 'cher' ('dear' in French).
'seizing' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are seized).
'power' becomes 'arm' (arm can mean power or strength).
'cher' going around 'arm' is 'CHARMER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for charmer that I've seen before include "Smoothie" , "relied on for a spell?" , "Winsome" , "One playing with snake" , "Highly attractive person" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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