Crossword Genius

It heartens seafarers a great deal (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

far

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

'a great deal' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adverbs. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'it heartens seafarers' is the wordplay.
'FAR' is hidden in amongst the letters.
But, I'm not sure how the hidden word is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for far that I've seen before include "Distant" , "Very much" , "A long, long way to go" , "Remote" , "At a great distance way" .)

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