Crossword Genius

Separate because of significant discovery (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

breakthrough

'significant discovery' is the definition.
(eg in an investigation)

'separate because of' is the wordplay.
'separate' becomes 'break' (breaking is a kind of separating).
'because of' becomes 'through' ('through' can mean because of or as a result of).
'break'+'through'='BREAKTHROUGH'

(Other definitions for breakthrough that I've seen before include "Significant advance" , "Success" , "Sudden significant development" , "Important discovery" , "Important development (eg in research)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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