Crossword Genius

Made out record by European nerd, oddly (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

discerned

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

'record by european nerd oddly' is the wordplay.
'record' becomes 'disc' (eg a CD, compact disc).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'european' becomes 'E' (abbreviation e.g. EU).
'oddly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'nerd' is an anagram of 'rned'.
'disc'+'e'+'rned'='DISCERNED'

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

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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