Crossword Genius

Love: a term of endearment (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

duck

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'love' is the definition.
(love and duck mean zero in tennis and cricket)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

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(Other definitions for duck that I've seen before include "Cringe maybe" , "Evade, nought (cricket)" , "Steer clear" , "Avoid (tricky question)" , "Eg, eider; get down" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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