Crossword Genius

Public is forbidden to charge (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

outward

'public' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'forbidden to charge' is the wordplay.
'forbidden' becomes 'out' (synonyms).
'to charge' becomes 'ward' (both can mean a child in one's care).
'out'+'ward'='OUTWARD'

'is' is the link.

(Other definitions for outward that I've seen before include "Draw out (anag.)" , "Young person thus bound" , "(In the direction of the) exterior" , "Away from port" , "Away from centre" .)

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