Crossword Genius

Sound like a faulty chainsaw, cutting out first in … (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

schwa

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'sound' is the definition.
(I know that schwa is a type of mid vowel)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for schwa that I've seen before include "Uh' sound" , "Indistinct sound" , "Stress-free sound" , "sound unstressed" , "Unstressed vowel (phonetics)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app