Crossword Genius

Joke framed by English chap promised in marriage (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

engaged

'promised in marriage' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'joke framed by english chap' is the wordplay.
'joke' becomes 'gag' (a gag is a joke or witticism).
'framed by' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'chap' becomes 'ned' ().
'e'+'ned'='ened'
'gag' put inside 'ened' is 'ENGAGED'.

(Other definitions for engaged that I've seen before include "Affianced" , "Preoccupied" , "Held" , "Busy, occupied" , "being committed to union" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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