Crossword Genius

Release Papa's brother - like Papa, lacking energy (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

unclasp

'release' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'papa's brother like papa lacking energy' is the wordplay.
'papa's brother' becomes 'uncle'.
'like' becomes 'as'.
'papa' becomes 'p' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'lacking' is a deletion indicator.
'energy' becomes 'e' (physics symbol as in E=mc2).
'uncle'+'as'+'p'='uncleasp'
'uncleasp' with 'e' taken away is 'UNCLASP'.

(Other definitions for unclasp that I've seen before include "let go" , "Unfasten" , "Detach (necklace, belt, etc)" , "Loosen grip on" , "Open - release from grip" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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