Compensate a heavyweight Earl (5)

I believe the answer is:

atone

'compensate' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'a heavyweight earl' is the wordplay.
'heavyweight' becomes 'ton' (I've seen this before).
'earl' becomes 'e'.
'a'+'ton'+'e'='ATONE'

(Other definitions for atone that I've seen before include "Make up, compensate (for)" , "Make amends (for something)" , "Expiate" , "Make good" , "Turn away from sin and do penance" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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