Pet — roughly speaking, a fool (8)

I believe the answer is:

canoodle

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'pet' is the definition.
(both can mean to touch lovingly)

'roughly speaking a fool' is the wordplay.
'roughly' becomes 'ca' (abbreviation for circa).
'speaking a fool' becomes 'noodle' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'ca'+'noodle'='CANOODLE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for canoodle that I've seen before include "Smooch" , "Fondle" , "Behave amorously" , "Kiss and cuddle (informal)" , "Hug and kiss" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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