A tired looking Carmine looked on (3-4)

I believe the answer is:

red-eyed

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'a tired looking' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'carmine looked on' is the wordplay.
'carmine' becomes 'red' (synonyms).
'looked on' becomes 'eyed' (I've seen this in another clue).
'red'+'eyed'='RED-EYED'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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