Crossword Genius

Frugal use of article in season (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sparing

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'frugal' is the definition.
(I know that frugal can be written as sparing)

'article in season' is the wordplay.
'article' becomes 'a' (the indefinite article in English).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'season' becomes 'spring' (spring is a season).
'a' put into 'spring' is 'SPARING'.

'use of' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sparing that I've seen before include "Economic (with resources)" , "mean" , "Moderate, economical" , "Scanty - merciful" , "Economical; having mercy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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