Crossword Genius

Search round area, place frequently visited (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

haunt

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

'place frequently visited' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'search round area' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'area' could be 'a' (maths abbreviation) and 'a' is present in the answer.
'search' could be 'hunt' (hunt is a kind of search) and 'hunt' is located in the leftover letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for haunt that I've seen before include "Regularly visit" , "Place regularly frequented" , "A favourite place" , "Keep appearing" , "Frequent (a place)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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