Young Leonard first tried a fast time (4)
I believe the answer is:
lent
'a fast time' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'young leonard first tried' is the wordplay.
'young leonard' becomes 'len' (I've seen this in other clues. I am not sure about the 'young' bit.).
'first tried' becomes 't' (lst letter of 'tried').
'len'+'t'='LENT'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lent that I've seen before include "Period of fasting" , "Christian period of abstinence" , "Gave the use of for a time" , "Fast time" , "From Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday" .)