Arranges letters for durations (6)
I believe the answer is:
spells
'durations' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to time as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'arranges letters' is the wordplay.
'arranges' becomes 'sp' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'letters' becomes 'ells' (ell is the name for the letter L).
'sp'+'ells'='SPELLS'
'for' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for spells that I've seen before include "turns" , "Lists characters" , "Periods of times or witch's curses" , "Signals" , "They're induced by magical incantations" .)