Crossword Genius

Former lover abandoned bottle, almost free (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exempt

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'free' is the definition.
(exempt can mean to free or release)

'former lover abandoned bottle almost' is the wordplay.
'former lover' becomes 'ex' (ex-lover).
'abandoned bottle almost' becomes 'empt' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'ex'+'empt'='EXEMPT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for exempt that I've seen before include "Not liable to, immune" , "Permitted to be unaffected" , "Absolve, excuse" , "Duty-free" , "Grant immunity" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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