Crossword Genius

Attacks deputy receiving a text (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

paroxysms

'attacks' is the definition.
(paroxysm is a kind of attack)

'deputy receiving a text' is the wordplay.
'deputy' becomes 'proxy' (synonyms).
'receiving' indicates putting letters inside.
'text' becomes 'SMS' (abbreviation for Short Message Service).
'proxy' placed around 'a' is 'paroxy'.
'paroxy'+'sms'='PAROXYSMS'

(Another definition for paroxysms that I've seen is " Fits".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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