Crossword Genius

Ether, quaint number (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

three

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

'number' is the definition.
(three is a number)

'ether quaint' is the wordplay.
'ether' can be anagrammed to 'THREE'.
Though, I am unsure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for three that I've seen before include "Trinity, triad" , "Cardinal number" , "trilogy" , "Sixth root of seven hundred and twenty nine" , "Bears or blind mice" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.
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