Crossword Genius

Optimism of lush seen dancing around Penny (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hopefulness

'optimism' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'of lush seen dancing around penny' is the wordplay.
'dancing' indicates an anagram.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'penny' becomes 'p' (short for pence).
'of'+'lush'+'seen'='oflushseen'
'oflushseen' is an anagram of 'hoefulness'.
'hoefulness' going around 'p' is 'HOPEFULNESS'.

(Other definitions for hopefulness that I've seen before include "Anticipation" , "Optimism" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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