Crossword Genius

Fantasy about unkempt hair absorbs me (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chimera

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

'about unkempt hair absorbs me' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 'c' (abbreviation for circa).
'unkempt' indicates anagramming the letters.
'absorbs' is an insertion indicator.
'hair' is an anagram of 'hira'.
'hira' going around 'me' is 'himera'.
'c'+'himera'='CHIMERA'

(Other definitions for chimera that I've seen before include "Wild or impossible idea" , "Illusory goal; monster" , "fabulous creature" , "fake image" , "fabulous beast" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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