Crossword Genius

Weapon to pass through the East End? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crossbow

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

'weapon' is the definition.
(crossbow is a kind of weapon)

'pass through the east end?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'pass' could be 'cross' (crossing is a kind of passing) and 'cross' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'bow' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for crossbow that I've seen before include "One responsible for shooting bolts" , "Ancient weapon, shot bolts" , "William Tell's weapon" , "Missile-launcher" , "Old weapon wiht mechanism for firing bolt" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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