Crossword Genius

Free of charge (9)

Ross

There are a few possibilities for this:

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5 6 8

9

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'free of charge' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'of charge' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is located in the answer.
'charge' could be 'rate' (rate is a kind of charge) and 'rate' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for exonerate that I've seen before include "let off the hook" , "Officially absolve from blame" , "Release" , "Free from obligation, blame" , "Pronounce not guilty of a crime" .)

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