Crossword Genius

Quiet about key woman in period of development (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pregnancy

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

'period of development' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both states of affairs as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'quiet about key woman' is the wordplay.
'quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano', ie soft or quiet).
'about key' becomes 'reg' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'woman' becomes 'Nancy' (woman's name).
'p'+'reg'+'nancy'='PREGNANCY'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pregnancy that I've seen before include "expectation?" , "Period carrying a child" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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