Crossword Genius

Sentimental old lady having desire to embrace king (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mawkish

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

'old lady having desire to embrace king' is the wordplay.
'old lady' becomes 'ma'.
'having' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'desire' becomes 'wish' (wishing is a kind of desiring).
'to embrace' indicates putting letters inside.
'king' becomes 'k'.
'wish' enclosing 'k' is 'wkish'.
'ma'+'wkish'='MAWKISH'

(Other definitions for mawkish that I've seen before include "Feebly sentimental" , "Falsely sentimental" , "Sentimental in maudlin way" , "Soppy" , "Insipid; maudlin" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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