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Cried, when hugging fool, and sang carols (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wassailed

'sang carols' is the definition.
('wassail' can be a synonym of 'sing carols')

'cried when hugging fool' is the wordplay.
'cried' becomes 'wailed' (wailing is a kind of crying).
'when hugging' indicates putting letters inside.
'fool' becomes 'ass' (both can mean a stupid person).
'wailed' placed around 'ass' is 'WASSAILED'.

'and' acts as a link.

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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