Crossword Genius

Long period of time before November (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

yearn

'long' is the definition.
('yearn' can be a synonym of 'long')

'period of time before november' is the wordplay.
'period of time' becomes 'year' (year is a kind of period of time**).
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'november' becomes 'n' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'year'+'n'='YEARN'

(Other definitions for yearn that I've seen before include "Desire, want" , "Have an intense feeling of longing" , "Have strong desire" , "lust" , "Curdle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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