Crossword Genius

Homework not initially dismissed but loaded beforehand (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

prepacked

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'loaded beforehand' is the definition.
The answer and definition are not the same part of speech. However, past participle verbs and adjectives can sometimes define each other.

'homework not initially dismissed' is the wordplay.
'homework' becomes 'prep' (synonyms).
'not initially' means to remove the first letter.
'dismissed' becomes 'sacked' ('sack' can be a synonym of 'dismiss').
'sacked' with its first letter taken off is 'acked'.
'prep'+'acked'='PREPACKED'

'but' is the link.

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I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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