Crossword Genius

Was a smasher but penniless (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

broke

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

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for broke that I've seen before include "Shattered" , "Impecunious" , "Completely out of money" , "Ordinal number" , "Moneyless" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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