Complain when Calvin embraces Violet (5)

I believe the answer is:

cavil

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

'calvin embraces violet' is the wordplay.
'calvin' becomes 'cal' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'embraces' is an insertion indicator.
'violet' becomes 'vi'.
'cal' enclosing 'vi' is 'CAVIL'.

'when' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cavil that I've seen before include "Make petty objections" , "Raise petty objections" , "Nitpick" , "Use false arguments" , "Find fault" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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