Crossword Genius

... and uncertain expression is to lose freshness (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wither

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'to lose freshness' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'and uncertain expression' is the wordplay.
'and' becomes 'with'.
'uncertain expression' becomes 'er' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'with'+'er'='WITHER'

'is' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for wither that I've seen before include "Writhe about and shrivel" , "Dry up, decay" , "Dry up, shrivel (6)" , "Shrink, shrivel up" , "(Of a plant) shrivel up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.
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