144 in total (5)
I believe the answer is:
gross
This clue is a double definition.
'144' is the first definition.
(gross can mean the number 144)
'total' is the second definition.
(similar in meaning)
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for gross that I've seen before include "Horribly fat" , "Repulsively large" , "Make altogether" , "With no deductions; coarse" , "one-hundred and fourty-four" .)