Grave near defaced den (7)
I believe the answer is:
earnest
'grave' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'near defaced den' is the wordplay.
'defaced' means to remove the first letter (the word with its face removed).
'den' becomes 'nest' (I've seen this in another clue).
'near' with its first letter taken off is 'ear'.
'ear'+'nest'='EARNEST'
(Other definitions for earnest that I've seen before include "Fixed" , "Sincere or over-serious" , "Solemn; pledge" , "money involved in contract" , "Sincere -- humourless" .)