Crossword Genius

Time of year to secure time in office? Not quite (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

winter

'time of year' is the definition.
(winter is a kind of time of year)

'secure time in office? not quite' is the wordplay.
'secure' becomes 'win' (I've seen this in other clues).
'time in office?' becomes 'term' (eg a presidential term).
'not quite' means to remove the last letter.
'term' with its final letter removed is 'ter'.
'win'+'ter'='WINTER'

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for winter that I've seen before include "Coldest season" , "Time for mittens and scarves?" , "period of freeze?" , "period of discontent?" , "'If . . . . . . comes, can spring be far behind?'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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