Departed After the scheduled time (4)

I believe the answer is:

late

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'departed' is the definition.
(late can mean deceased)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for late that I've seen before include "Behind time; deceased" , "Dead or not punctual" , "Teal (anag.)" , "not quick enough" , "After the expected time" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Globe and Mail.

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