Crossword Genius

Days when I start to despair (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ides

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

'despair' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'days when i start' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'days' could be 'd' (abbreviation for days) and 'd' is located in the answer.
'when' could be 'e' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'e' is located in the answer.
'i' is found in the answer.
A single letter 's' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ides that I've seen before include "May 15, for example" , "Mid-month date in Roman calendar" , "15/7?" , "Caesar's fateful days" , "Time of March when Caesar was assassinated" .)

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