Crossword Genius

The crack of dawn? (5,2,3)

Ross

I think it could be either:

Which length description are you looking for?:

8

5,2,3
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'the crack of dawn?' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'the crack' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'crack' could be 'break' and 'break' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'day' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for daybreak that I've seen before include "Dawn" , "Cockcrow" , "Sunrise" , "very short holiday" , "When light first appears" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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