Spotted gnome (3)
I believe the answer is:
saw
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'spotted' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'gnome' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)
(Other definitions for saw that I've seen before include "Noticed - tool" , "Saying; cut wood" , "Viewed; maxim" , "Grasped" , "A maxim with teeth" .)