Crossword Genius

Off at last, sits about and searches through (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sifts

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

'searches through' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'off at last sits about' is the wordplay.
'at last' suggests the final letters.
'about' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
The final letter of 'off' is 'f'.
'f' placed within 'sits' is 'SIFTS'.

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sifts that I've seen before include "Riddles" , "Passes through a sieve" , "Strains, sieves" .)

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