Crossword Genius

Introductory words of appeal to wise person in native language (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

osage

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

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

'introductory words of appeal to wise person in native' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is found in the answer.
'appeal' could be 'sa' (old-fashioned abbreviation for sex appeal) and 'sa' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ge' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for osage that I've seen before include "Indian people" , "Language" , "Native Americans from Missouri - age so (anag)" , "Indians" , "member of tribe" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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