Crossword Genius

Lustful characters at the edges of respectability? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

randy

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'lustful' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'characters at the edges of respectability?' is the wordplay.
'characters at' becomes 'ran' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'the edges of' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'respectability?' becomes 'decency' (decency is a kind of respectability).
'decency' with its middle taken out is 'dy'.
'ran'+'dy'='RANDY'

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(Other definitions for randy that I've seen before include "Hot" , "Eager to get into bed" , "boisterous locally" , "Lustful" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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