Solution for 16 May cryptic crossword clue

A lament briefly described a love affair (5)

Solution – amour

This is an example of a deletion clue.  (For more explanation of this type of clue please go to the sidebar under popular posts which gives you links to posts about different types of clues)

The description part of the clue is “a love affair” so the solution is a word that means that ie “amour’ which is French for love but which means a secret love affair in English.

“Briefly” is the indicator that something has been cut off from the end of a word or words meaning “a lament”.

Another word for “lament” is mourn.  So if you take the “a” and add the shortened “mourn” you get “amour”.