Crossword Genius

Not the complete sleuth (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tec

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'sleuth' is the definition.
(short for detective)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tec that I've seen before include "Busy" , "CID officer (abbrev.)" , "Detective (colloq.)" , "Investigator" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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