Maurice occasionally knocked out a French classic (3)

I believe the answer is:

arc

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'knocked out a french classic' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'maurice occasionally' is the wordplay.
'occasionally' indicates alternate letters (letters taken at regular intervals or occasions).
The alternate letters of 'maurice' are 'ARC'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for arc that I've seen before include "Curvature" , "Curve of car" , "less than the complete circuit" , "Turn" , "bends?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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