Fasting period (4)
I believe the answer is:
lent
'fasting period' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for lent that I've seen before include "Christian period of abstinence" , "Period of penance" , "Christian penitential season" , "Provided loans" , "Forty days of penance" .)