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Ceasefire, short, set up on base (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

truce

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'ceasefire' is the definition.
(both can mean a break in fighting)

'short set up on base' is the wordplay.
'short' becomes 'curt' (synonyms).
'set up' says the letters should be written in reverse (in a down clue, letters go up).
'on base' becomes 'e' (Euler's number - base of natural logarithms. I am not sure about the 'on' bit.).
'curt' reversed gives 'truc'.
'truc'+'e'='TRUCE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for truce that I've seen before include "Respite" , "Agreement to suspend fighting" , "Temporary cessation of hostilities" , "conciliatory agreement" , "Agreed ceasefire" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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