Crossword Genius

Cleaner's mother welcoming one's special appeal (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

charisma

'appeal' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'cleaner's mother welcoming one's special' is the wordplay.
'cleaner' becomes 'char' (charwoman is a type of cleaner).
'mother' becomes 'ma' (ma is a kind of mother).
'welcoming' is an insertion indicator (in sense of 'inviting in').
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'special' becomes 's' (common abbreviation as in Special Air Service).
'char'+'ma'='charma'
'i'+'s'='is'
'charma' placed around 'is' is 'CHARISMA'.

(Other definitions for charisma that I've seen before include "impressive quality" , "Personal magnetism -- archaism (anag)" , "Attraction" , "Ability to inspire people" , "Personal magnetism and appeal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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