Crossword Genius

Now, in A.D. perhaps, one can play around (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

today

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'now' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'd perhaps one can play around' is the wordplay.
'd perhaps one can' becomes 'da' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'play' becomes 'toy' (synonyms).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'da' placed within 'toy' is 'TODAY'.

'in a' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for today that I've seen before include "12, 12" , "Modern times" , "Presently" , "Current period of 24 hours" , "At the present time, in general" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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