Crossword Genius

Lover tickling Maria, not Oscar (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inamorato

'lover' is the definition.
(I know that inamorato is a type of lover)

'tickling maria not oscar' is the wordplay.
'tickling' is an anagram indicator.
'oscar' becomes 'O' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'maria'+'not'='marianot'
'marianot' anagrammed gives 'inamorat'.
'inamorat'+'o'='INAMORATO'

(Other definitions for inamorato that I've seen before include "Italian lover" , "I Love A Lassie" , "He loves" , "Beau" , "Man loved" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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