Crossword Genius

Gill's brief period of rest? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

breather

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

'rest?' is the definition.
(I know that breather is a type of rest)

'gill's brief period' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'period' could be 'breath' (breath is a kind of period) and 'breath' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'er' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for breather that I've seen before include "Informally a pause for rest - or to take in air" , "One who inspires" , "time off work" , "Short pause for rest" , "One's probably not dying" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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