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Releases former partner, united with Des (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exudes

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'releases' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to bodily activities as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'former partner united with des' is the wordplay.
'former partner' becomes 'ex' (an ex-partner).
'united' becomes 'U' (abbreviation).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'ex'+'u'+'des'='EXUDES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for exudes that I've seen before include "Oozes out or emits" , "Oozes out or shows freely" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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