Crossword Genius

Showing affection, offer to empty laundry (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tenderly

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'showing affection offer to empty laundry' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'offer to empty laundry' is the wordplay.
'offer' becomes 'tender' (tender can mean to offer something).
'to empty' suggests removing the centre.
'laundry' with its middle taken out is 'ly'.
'tender'+'ly'='TENDERLY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tenderly that I've seen before include "With loving gentleness" , "Gently, sympathetically" , "In gentle and loving manner" , "Sensitively" , "in affectionate manner" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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