Hold in evident affection (3)
I believe the answer is:
hug
'hold' is the definition.
(I know that hug is a type of embrace)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hug that I've seen before include "A hearty embrace as of bear" , "Cuddle" , "Embrace (like a bear?)" , "Bear-like embrace?" , "Tightly embrace" .)