Mention something positive about sex-appeal (8)

I believe the answer is:

citation

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'mention' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'something positive about sex-appeal' is the wordplay.
'something positive' becomes 'cation' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'sex appeal' becomes 'it'.
'cation' going around 'it' is 'CITATION'.

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(Other definitions for citation that I've seen before include "Quotation from a book" , "Mention in an official report" , "Mention; quoted passage" , "mention in dispatches" , "Commendation for bravery" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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