Crossword Genius

Award embracing the full essence of kissing? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oscular

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

'award embracing the full essence' is the wordplay.
'award' becomes 'oscar' (Academy Award).
'embracing' indicates putting letters inside.
'essence' indicates the central letters (essence can mean the core of something).
The centre of 'full' is 'ul'.
'oscar' placed around 'ul' is 'OSCULAR'.

'of' acts as a link.

(Another definition for oscular that I've seen is " Kissing".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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