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After spring, darkness reduced, just about (4-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

well-nigh

'just about' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'after spring darkness reduced' is the wordplay.
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'spring' becomes 'well' (both can mean a source of water).
'darkness' becomes 'night' (night is a period of darkness).
'reduced' means to remove the last letter.
'night' with its final letter taken away is 'nigh'.
'well' next to 'nigh' is 'WELL-NIGH'.

(Other definitions for well-nigh that I've seen before include "Amost, very nearly" , "Healthy plus near = almost" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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