Crossword Genius

... turning, say, soon to embrace with desire (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eagerly

'with desire' is the definition.

'turning say soon to embrace' is the wordplay.
'turning' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'say' becomes 'eg'.
'soon' becomes 'early' (I've seen this before).
'to embrace' indicates putting letters inside.
'eg' backwards is 'ge'.
'ge' put within 'early' is 'EAGERLY'.

(Other definitions for eagerly that I've seen before include "Fervently" , "With enthusiasm" , "With hunger" , "anxiously" , "Ardently and avidly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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