Crossword Genius

Remove load from hanger-on in a Parisian retreat (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

unburden

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

'hanger-on in a parisian retreat' is the wordplay.
'hanger-on' becomes 'bur' (type of seed which hangs onto clothing).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'a parisian' becomes 'un' ('a' in French).
'retreat' becomes 'den' (both can mean a lair or hideout).
'un'+'den'='unden'
'bur' going inside 'unden' is 'UNBURDEN'.

'from' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for unburden that I've seen before include "Relieve of a load" , "Ease the load" , "Remove load" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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