Crossword Genius

Very young and so loveless still (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

seven

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'very young' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'loveless still' is the wordplay.
'loveless' becomes 's' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'still' becomes 'even' (synonyms).
's'+'even'='SEVEN'

'and so' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for seven that I've seen before include "Figure of dwarfs?" , "See 1" , "Number of sins, seas or dwarves" , "VII" , "Number of seas sailed?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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