Crossword Genius

Black snow leopard in spring (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bounce

'spring' is the definition.
(bouncing is a kind of springing)

'black snow leopard' is the wordplay.
'black' becomes 'b' (as in pencil classifications).
'snow leopard' becomes 'ounce' ('ounce' can be a synonym of 'snow leopard').
'b'+'ounce'='BOUNCE'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for bounce that I've seen before include "Springiness" , "What a cheque may do if there are insufficient funds" , "Move energetically; rebound" , "Hop like rubber ball" , "Recoil like rubber ball" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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