Denotes high-pitched instrument used three times (6)

I believe the answer is:

treble

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'times' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

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(Other definitions for treble that I've seen before include "Triple - high-pitched" , "High-frequency (radio control knob)" , "High darts score" , "Triple - soprano voice" , "large measure" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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