Crossword Genius

Virginia and Eric foolishly pursuing a deadly sin (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

avarice

'deadly sin' is the definition.
(avarice is a kind of deadly sin)

'virginia and eric foolishly pursuing a' is the wordplay.
'virginia' becomes 'va' (US state abbreviation).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'foolishly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'pursuing' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'eric' anagrammed gives 'rice'.
'va'+'rice' is 'varice'.
'varice' after 'a' is 'AVARICE'.

(Other definitions for avarice that I've seen before include "Greed, covetousness" , "Eager desire" , "Extreme greed for wealth" , "Greed - caviare (anag)" , "Sway, control" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app