Smooth guards mount Spanish Steps (8)
I believe the answer is:
saraband
'spanish steps' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.
'smooth guards mount' is the wordplay.
'smooth' becomes 'sand' (sanding is a kind of smoothing).
'guards' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are guarded).
'mount' becomes 'Arab' (Arab is an example).
'sand' enclosing 'arab' is 'SARABAND'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for saraband that I've seen before include "Stately dance" , "Old, courtly dance" , "Slow Spanish dance" , "dance music" .)