Crossword Genius

In affection, bind daughter in embrace, finally close (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

endear

'in affection bind' is the definition.
(endearing oneself is winning someone's affection)

'daughter in embrace finally close' is the wordplay.
'daughter' becomes 'd' (genealogical abbreviation).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'finally' indicates one should take the final letters.
'close' becomes 'near' (synonyms).
The final letter of 'embrace' is 'e'.
'e'+'near'='enear'
'd' placed inside 'enear' is 'ENDEAR'.

(Other definitions for endear that I've seen before include "Make prized" , "Make beloved" , "Bind in gratitude" , "Cause to be beloved" , "Cause to be loved" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app