Clever way to shorten a letter (4)
I believe the answer is:
cute
'clever' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'way to shorten a letter' is the wordplay.
'way' becomes 'cut' (cut is a kind of way).
'to shorten' means to remove the last letter (I've seen 'shortened' mean this).
'a letter' becomes 'ex' (X).
'ex' with its last letter taken away is 'e'.
'cut'+'e'='CUTE'
(Other definitions for cute that I've seen before include "Endearingly pretty" , "Appealing -- cunning" , "Daintily pleasing" , "Quaintly attractive" , "Location" .)