Crossword Genius

Low spirits start to get lower? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gloom

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

'low spirits' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'start to get lower?' is the wordplay.
'start to' says to take the initial letters.
'lower?' becomes 'loom' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
The first letter of 'get' is 'g'.
'g'+'loom'='GLOOM'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gloom that I've seen before include "Near-darkness - misery" , "Murkiness" , "Dark depression?" , "Despondency" , "Melancholy state" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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