Crossword Genius

Pause as the priest turns the key (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

respite

'pause' is the definition.
(I know that respite is a type of pause)

'the priest turns the key' is the wordplay.
'turns' is an anagram indicator.
'the key' becomes 'e' (a musical key).
'priest' with letters rearranged gives 'respit'.
'respit'+'e'='RESPITE'

'as' is the link.

(Other definitions for respite that I've seen before include "temporary delay" , "Period of relief (from unpleasant thing)" , "Pause from exertion, etc" , "Short let-up" , "Brief let-up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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