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Two or three prepare anaesthetic (5,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

prime number

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'two or three' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'prepare anaesthetic' is the wordplay.
'prepare' becomes 'prime' (to prime is to prepare or make ready).
'anaesthetic' becomes 'number' (i.e. something that makes things numb).
'prime'+'number'='PRIME NUMBER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for prime number that I've seen before include "Two or three perhaps" , "2011, say" , "One such as 3, 5, 7, 11, etc" , "Maybe two or three" , "One providing amusement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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