Crossword Genius

Old writer has note to dole out (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

expend

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'dole out' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with ownership as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'old writer has note' is the wordplay.
'old' becomes 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime).
'writer' becomes 'pen' (something which writes).
'has' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'note' becomes 'D' (musical note).
'ex'+'pen'+'d'='EXPEND'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for expend that I've seen before include "Lay out, money say" , "Use up (a resource)" , "Lay out, disburse" , "Use (energy)" , "Consume" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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