Crossword Genius

A dope clearly disheartened in business (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

agency

'business' is the definition.
(agency is a kind of business)

'a dope clearly disheartened' is the wordplay.
'dope' becomes 'gen' (I've seen this in other clues).
'disheartened' suggests removing the centre.
'clearly' with its centre removed is 'cy'.
'a'+'gen'+'cy'='AGENCY'

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for agency that I've seen before include "Government unit - business providing services" , "Travel ..., advertising..., employment" , "Business serving other businesses" , "Organisation; intervention" , "Business that acts for other businesses" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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