Crossword Genius

Discharge, old and bowed (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

arco

'bowed' is the definition.
(musical term - played with a bow)

'discharge old' is the wordplay.
'discharge' becomes 'arc' (electrical discharge).
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'arc'+'o'='ARCO'

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for arco that I've seen before include "Played with the bow" , "Musical direction" , "bow for players" , "taking a bow" , "which every violinist must grasp" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app