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Mark entertains in a talk that's playful (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

badinage

'talk that's playful' is the definition.

'mark entertains in a' is the wordplay.
'mark' becomes 'badge' (badging is a kind of marking).
'entertains' indicates putting letters inside.
'in'+'a'='ina'
'badge' going around 'ina' is 'BADINAGE'.

(Other definitions for badinage that I've seen before include "Amiable banter" , "Wordplay" , "Drollery" , "Ribbing" , "Frivolous repartee" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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