Crossword Genius

Frown at ratter regularly loose in dockyard area (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

waterfront

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'dockyard area' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'frown at ratter regularly loose' is the wordplay.
'regularly' indicates alternate letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
'loose' is an anagram indicator (letters are loosened from their original positions).
The alternating letters of 'ratter' are 'rte'.
'frown'+'at'+'rte'='frownatrte'
'frownatrte' is an anagram of 'WATERFRONT'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for waterfront that I've seen before include "harbour area" , "Riverside" , "Part of town bordering a sea, lake or river" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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