Crossword Genius

Sudden contraction in salon's male membership (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spasm

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

'sudden contraction' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'salon's male membership' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'male' could be 'm' (common abbreviation) and 'm' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'spas' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spasm that I've seen before include "Fit" , "Tic, sudden contraction" , "Convulsive action" , "Muscle twitch" , "Muscular convulsion" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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