Crossword Genius

See detective operate chopper (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

woodsman

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'chopper' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'see detective operate' is the wordplay.
'see detective' becomes 'woods' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'operate' becomes 'man' (both can mean to work or oversee something).
'woods'+'man'='WOODSMAN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for woodsman that I've seen before include "elder worker, perhaps?" , "outdoorsy type" , "He lives in the forest" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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