Dear Italian single abandoned more futile… (9)

I believe the answer is:

caravaner

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'dear italian single abandoned more futile' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'dear italian single abandoned more futile' is the wordplay.
'dear italian' becomes 'cara' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'single' becomes 'I' (one).
'abandoned' suggests deleting specific letters.
'more futile' becomes 'vainer' ('vain' can be a synonym of 'futile').
'vainer' with 'i' removed is 'vaner'.
'cara'+'vaner'='CARAVANER'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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