Crossword Genius

Unusual three-bar interval (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

breather

'interval' is the definition.
(breather is a kind of interval)

'unusual three-bar' is the wordplay.
'unusual' indicates an anagram.
'three'+'bar'='threebar'
'threebar' is an anagram of 'BREATHER'.

(Other definitions for breather that I've seen before include "Short rest between bouts of exercise" , "Recovery time" , "An informal break - inhale and exhale" , "A rest - lung?" , "lung or > liver?" .)

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