Crossword Genius

Brief outburst in spring and parts of summer (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spasm

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

'brief outburst' is the definition.
'spasm' can be an answer for 'outburst' (I've seen this in another clue). I'm not certain of the 'brief' bit.

'spring and parts of summer' is the wordplay.
'spring' becomes 'spa' (spa can mean a mineral spring).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'parts of summer' becomes 'sm' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'spa'+'sm'='SPASM'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spasm that I've seen before include "Tic, sudden contraction" , "cramp" , "Sudden muscular contraction" , "Convulsive action" , "Involuntary muscular contraction" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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