Crossword Genius

Love lost in greeting students (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hall

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'love lost in greeting students' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'love lost in greeting' is the wordplay.
'love' becomes 'o' (love means zero in tennis).
'lost in' is a deletion indicator.
'greeting' becomes 'hallo' (alternative to hello).
'hallo' with 'o' taken away is 'HALL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hall that I've seen before include "Foyer" , "See 21" , "Toad ___ (Toad's home)" , "Chamber" , "Large country house" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app