Crossword Genius

Small opening indeed - reportedly permitted (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eyelet

'small opening' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'indeed reportedly permitted' is the wordplay.
'indeed' becomes 'aye' (I've seen this before).
'reportedly' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'permitted' becomes 'let' (I've seen this before).
'aye' sounds like 'eye'.
'eye'+'let'='EYELET'

(Other definitions for eyelet that I've seen before include "Hole for fastener" , "Small hole to pass lace through" , "Small opening in shoe for lace" , "hole in shoe leather?" , "Small ring, for shoelace perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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