Crossword Genius

Reportedly attack king as citizen of republic (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

czech

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'king as citizen of republic' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'reportedly attack' is the wordplay.
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'attack' becomes 'check' (checking is a kind of attacking).
'check' is a homophone of 'CZECH'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for czech that I've seen before include "Central European" , "European language" , "Nationality of citizen of Prague" , "Bohemian" , "One from Brno" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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