Crossword Genius

Empty old house in Germany by junction (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exhaust

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'empty' is the definition.
(exhausting is a kind of emptying)

'old house in germany by junction' is the wordplay.
'old' becomes 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime).
'house in germany' becomes 'haus' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'junction' becomes 't'.
'ex'+'haus'+'t'='EXHAUST'

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(Other definitions for exhaust that I've seen before include "Deplete" , "Tube carrying off fumes from car engine" , "get everything out of" , "Car's waste gas" , "Pipe to take away car fumes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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