Spy affecting limp searches houses (7)
I believe the answer is:
glimpse
'spy' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'affecting limp searches houses' is the wordplay.
'houses' says the answer is hidden in the clue (part of the clue houses the answer).
'GLIMPSE' can be found hidden inside 'affecting limp searches'.
(Other definitions for glimpse that I've seen before include "spot" , "A quick look" , "vague idea" , "Momentary view (of something)" , "Fleeting vision" .)