Crossword Genius

Beardless in a southern port (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shaven

'beardless' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'southern port' is the wordplay.
'southern' becomes 's' (abbreviation).
'port' becomes 'haven' (both can mean a place of safety).
's'+'haven'='SHAVEN'

'in a' is the link.

(Other definitions for shaven that I've seen before include "Without a beard" , "With hair removed (N, not D)" , "lacking coverage" , "without locks" , "Hairless after work with razor" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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