Crossword Genius

Long story interrupted by hysterics in the middle (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

yearn

'long' is the definition.
(I know that long can be written as yearn)

'story interrupted by hysterics in the middle' is the wordplay.
'story' becomes 'yarn' (synonyms).
'interrupted by' is an insertion indicator.
'in the middle' says to take the centre.
The middle of 'hysterics' is 'e'.
'yarn' enclosing 'e' is 'YEARN'.

(Other definitions for yearn that I've seen before include "Mark of injury" , "Have an intense feeling of longing" , "Have strong desire" , "Have a craving" , "lust" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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