Crossword Genius

Excellent anaesthetic for two or three? (5,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

prime number

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'two or three?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'excellent anaesthetic' is the wordplay.
'excellent' becomes 'prime'.
'anaesthetic' becomes 'number' (i.e. something that makes things numb).
'prime'+'number'='PRIME NUMBER'

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for prime number that I've seen before include "2011, say" , "One with no divisors" , "One providing amusement" , "Two or three perhaps" , "2 or 3 -- but not 4" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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