Crossword Genius

Killer put down by Spooner (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

croatian

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'down by spooner' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are adjectives, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for croatian that I've seen before include "European native" , "Raincoat (anag.)" , "Native to a Balkan republic that became independent in 1991" , "Split personality" , "Slavic language" .)

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