Crossword Genius

Has been returning saw (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

was

'has been' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'returning saw' is the wordplay.
'returning' is a reversal indicator.
'saw' reversed gives 'WAS'.

(Other definitions for was that I've seen before include "'Is, in the past (3)'" , "Is no longer" , "(I/he) existed" , "Existed in the past" , "Used to be" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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