Showing delicacy and charm when left in a fine mess (5)

I believe the answer is:

elfin

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'showing delicacy and charm' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'left in a fine mess' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'L' (common abbreviation).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'mess' is an anagram indicator.
'fine' is an anagram of 'efin'.
'l' going within 'efin' is 'ELFIN'.

'when' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elfin that I've seen before include "Describing Santa's helpers" , "Small; impish" , "Mischievous sprite" , "Delicate, slight" , "Sprite-like" .)

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