French article with square pattern, not examined (9)

I believe the answer is:

unchecked

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'french article with square pattern' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'not examined' is the wordplay.
'not' becomes 'un' (prefix meaning 'not').
'examined' becomes 'checked' (checking is a kind of examining).
'un'+'checked'='UNCHECKED'

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(Other definitions for unchecked that I've seen before include "Flapping about" , "free" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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