The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word SEEN
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
E
E
N
More clues leading to the result SEEN
- Understood a bit of an act from an orator?
- Watched part of play broadcast
- Watched some of a play in the auditorium
- Observed only part of play in auditorium
- Sound view observed
- Part of play got by audience and understood
- Noticed lustre, hard to miss
- Distinguished partners crushing opponent twice
- Number will lose heart — that’s understood
- Viewed part of play in auditorium
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Observed" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case observed = seen.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SEEN mean?
SEEN verb- (stative) To perceive or detect with the eyes, or as if by sight.
- To form a mental picture of.
- (social) To meet, to visit.
- To be the setting or time of.
- (by extension) To ensure that something happens, especially while witnessing it.
- To wait upon; attend, escort.
- To respond to another player's bet with a bet of equal value.
- To determine by trial or experiment; to find out (if or whether).
- (used in the imperative) To reference or to study for further details.
- To examine something closely, or to utilize something, often as a temporary alternative.
- To include as one of something's experiences.
- The letter س in the Arabic script.