Crossword Genius

Boy with vacant expression is loaded (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

laden

'is loaded' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'boy with vacant expression' is the wordplay.
'boy' becomes 'lad' (lad is a kind of boy**).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'vacant' suggests removing the centre.
'expression' with its centre taken out is 'en'.
'lad'+'en'='LADEN'

(Other definitions for laden that I've seen before include "Heavily loaded" , "Burdened, loaded" , "Filled (with)" , "fully charged" , "Like many a cargo ship" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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