Crossword Genius

Observe water only as liquid or steam? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

notice

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

'observe' is the definition.
(I know that observe can be written as notice)

'water only as liquid or steam?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'water' could be 'ice' (ice water is a kind of water) and 'ice' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'not' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for notice that I've seen before include "Observe - about to resign?" , "Take cognisance of, observe" , "Warning - observe - review" , "Notification" , "Advance warning given of resignation" .)

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