Crossword Genius

Chuckled as huge lad broke down (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

laughed

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'chuckled' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to bodily activities as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'huge lad broke down' is the wordplay.
'huge lad' can be anagrammed to 'LAUGHED'.
However, I am unsure how this is indicated.

'as' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for laughed that I've seen before include "Showed amusement" , "Huge lad (anag)" , "Giggled" , "Expressed mirth" , "Expressed amusement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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