Crossword Genius

Ring American about old city (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

areola

'ring' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'american about old city' is the wordplay.
'american' becomes 'a' (common abbreviation - e.g. in organisation names).
'about' becomes 're' ('re' means regarding or about).
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'city' becomes 'LA' (Los Angeles).
'a'+'re'+'o'+'la'='AREOLA'

(Other definitions for areola that I've seen before include "Ring" , "special type of circle" , "Pigmented area around a nipple" , "Circular coloured area, especially around nipple" , "Slightly sunken spot" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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