Connected empty rifle with dead duke (7)

I believe the answer is:

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

'empty rifle with dead duke' is the wordplay.
'empty' means to remove the middle letters.
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'dead' becomes 'late' (similar in meaning).
'duke' becomes 'd' (abbreviation).
'rifle' with its middle removed is 're'.
're'+'late'+'d'='RELATED'

(Other definitions for related that I've seen before include "Connected, by kinship say" , "Connected by blood or marriage" , "were sympathetic" , "Having common descent or origin" , "Akin, associated" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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