Crossword Genius

Delight last peer? Not quite (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

endear

'delight' is the definition.
(endearing is a kind of delighting)

'last peer? not quite' is the wordplay.
'last' becomes 'end'.
'peer?' becomes 'earl' (earl is a kind of peer).
'not quite' means to remove the last letter.
'earl' with its final letter taken away is 'ear'.
'end'+'ear'='ENDEAR'

(Other definitions for endear that I've seen before include "Attract" , "Neared in order to charm" , "Give popularity to" , "Make lovable or please" , "Make love" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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