Crossword Genius

Made out record brought in money, without advance (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

discerned

'made out' is the definition.
('discern' can be a synonym of 'make out')

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for discerned that I've seen before include "Caught sight of" , "Identified by close investigation" , "Distinguished, made out" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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