Crossword Genius

Old love receives welcome in this state (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ohio

'this state' is the definition.
(I know that Ohio is U.S. state)

'old love receives welcome' is the wordplay.
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'love' becomes 'o' (love means zero in tennis).
'receives' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters are received).
'welcome' becomes 'hi' (both are greetings).
'o'+'o'='oo'
'oo' enclosing 'hi' is 'OHIO'.

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for ohio that I've seen before include "State of the union" , "Midwestern US state and river" , "The Buckeye State" , "US state, capital Columbus" , "great river" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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