Doctor slam Torme's periods of turbulent confusion? (10)
I believe the answer is:
maelstroms
'periods of turbulent confusion?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.
'doctor slam torme's' is the wordplay.
'doctor' is an anagram indicator.
'slam'+'tormes'='slamtormes'
'slamtormes' with letters rearranged gives 'MAELSTROMS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for maelstroms that I've seen before include "Powerful whirlpools" , "dangerous, currently" .)