Crossword Genius

Policeman heading off after doctor prescribes application for eye? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dropper

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'application for eye?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'policeman heading off after doctor prescribes' is the wordplay.
'policeman' becomes 'cop' (slang term).
'heading off' means to remove the first letter.
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'doctor' becomes 'dr' (abbreviation).
'prescribes' becomes 'per' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'cop' with its initial letter removed is 'op'.
'op' put after 'dr' is 'drop'.
'drop'+'per'='DROPPER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dropper that I've seen before include "Medicinal device" , "Short glass tube with a rubber bulb" , "Dispense with this" , "Small tube with a rubber bulb at one end" , "something in the dispensary" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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