Crossword Genius

Discourage three consecutive semitones (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deflate

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'discourage' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for deflate that I've seen before include "Let the wind out of, braggart or balloon" , "Cause to shrink or collapse" , "Release gas from" , "Take air" , "Release air from" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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