Encouraging core faction to hold on to weapon (12)

I believe the answer is:

heartwarming

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'encouraging' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'core faction to hold on to weapon' is the wordplay.
'core' becomes 'heart' (synonyms).
'faction' becomes 'wing' (a group within an organisation).
'to hold on to' is an insertion indicator.
'weapon' becomes 'arm' (synonyms).
'wing' placed around 'arm' is 'warming'.
'heart'+'warming'='HEARTWARMING'

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(Another definition for heartwarming that I've seen is " moving".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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