Crossword Genius

Screen abridged play with small intermission (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

recess

'intermission' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'screen abridged play with small' is the wordplay.
'abridged' means to remove the last letter.
'play with' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen 'played with' mean this (I've seen this in other clues)).
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'screen' with its last letter taken off is 'scree'.
'scree' with letters rearranged gives 'reces'.
'reces'+'s'='RECESS'

(Other definitions for recess that I've seen before include "Space set back in wall" , "secluded spot" , "Niche or temporary cessation of court session" , "Parliamentary break" , "Break from proceedings" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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