Crossword Genius

Clean, favourite child, endearingly (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

moppet

'child endearingly' is the definition.
(term of endearment for a child)

'clean favourite' is the wordplay.
'clean' becomes 'mop' (mopping is a kind of cleaning).
'favourite' becomes 'pet' (synonyms).
'mop'+'pet'='MOPPET'

(Other definitions for moppet that I've seen before include "Little darling" , "young child" , "Tot" , "Little child" , "The dear child met Pop" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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