Crossword Genius

Start breaking metal cross (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tigon

'cross' is the definition.
(offspring of a lion and a tiger)

'start breaking metal' is the wordplay.
'start' becomes 'go' (synonyms).
'breaking' is an insertion indicator.
'metal' becomes 'tin' (tin is a kind of metal).
'go' placed within 'tin' is 'TIGON'.

(Other definitions for tigon that I've seen before include "Animal" , "Cross between two big cats" , "Cross between tiger and lion" , "Big hybrid of the cat family" , "cat cross" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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