Crossword Genius

Observed detective, not disguised, according to report (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eyeballed

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

'observed' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with perception as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'detective not disguised according to report' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'detective' could be 'eye' (as in a private eye) and 'eye' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'balled' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eyeballed that I've seen before include "Stared at" , "looked at" , "Watched" , "confronted" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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