Crossword Genius

Friend carrying one bucket (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pail

'bucket' is the definition.
('pail' can be a synonym of 'bucket')

'friend carrying one' is the wordplay.
'friend' becomes 'pal' (pal is a kind of friend**).
'carrying' is an insertion indicator.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'pal' placed around 'i' is 'PAIL'.

(Other definitions for pail that I've seen before include "Water carrier" , "Kind of bucket - ask Jack and Jill" , "A bucket - the kind Jack and Jill used" , "Container; sounds like dim" , "Open-topped container" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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