Crossword Genius

Killing a service area (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

massacre

'killing' is the definition.
(massacre is a kind of killing)

'a service area' is the wordplay.
'a service' becomes 'mass' (I've seen this before).
'area' becomes 'acre' (I've seen this before).
'mass'+'acre'='MASSACRE'

(Other definitions for massacre that I've seen before include "Indiscriminate killing of large numbers" , "Wanton slaughter" , "Heavily defeat" , "Butchery" , "Murder (of many persons)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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