Crossword Genius

Defenceless, as Venus de Milo may have been? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

disarmed

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'been?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for disarmed that I've seen before include "Removed the fuse from a bomb" , "Took away weapons" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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