Crossword Genius

Ray washes trousers and pants (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

breaths

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'pants' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'ray washes trousers' is the wordplay.
'ray' becomes 're' (ray is another spelling of the musical note re).
'washes' becomes 'baths' (bath is a kind of wash).
'trousers' is an insertion indicator (to trouser can mean to steal or take).
're' going within 'baths' is 'BREATHS'.

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for breaths that I've seen is " Inhalations and exhalations".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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