Crossword Genius

Pause especially during ceremony (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

respite

'pause' is the definition.
(respite is a kind of pause)

'especially during ceremony' is the wordplay.
'especially' becomes 'esp' (common abbreviation).
'during' is an insertion indicator.
'ceremony' becomes 'rite' (rite is a kind of ceremony).
'esp' going within 'rite' is 'RESPITE'.

(Other definitions for respite that I've seen before include "Pause from exertion, etc" , "Abatement, rest" , "interruption" , "Temporary break" , "Brief let-up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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