Crossword Genius

Liberal tendency not so excited initially about a Republican government (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

largesse

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'liberal tendency' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'not so excited initially about a republican government' is the wordplay.
'not so' becomes 'less' (eg 'not so big' means 'less big').
'initially' says to take the initial letters.
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'republican' becomes 'R' (abbreviation).
'government' becomes 'g' (abbreviation for government).
The initial letter of 'excited' is 'e'.
'less'+'e'='lesse'
'a'+'r'+'g'='arg'
'lesse' enclosing 'arg' is 'LARGESSE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for largesse that I've seen before include "Eelgrass (anag.)" , "Magnanimous bestowal of gifts" , "Generous disposal of gifts" , "Les rages at the distribution of gifts" , "charity" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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