Crossword Genius

Disengage charge-carrying conductor’s base (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

free

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'disengage' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'charge-carrying conductor's base' is the wordplay.
'charge' becomes 'fee' (fee is a kind of charge).
'carrying' indicates putting letters inside.
'conductor's base' becomes 'r' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'fee' going around 'r' is 'FREE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for free that I've seen before include "Pro bono" , "unemployed" , "Allowed to do as one pleases" , "At large" , "Let loose" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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