Crossword Genius

Cut down this month in a way (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inst

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'cut down this month' is the definition.
'inst' can be an answer for 'month' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the remainder of the definition.

'in a way' is the wordplay.
'a way' becomes 'st' (abbreviation for street).
'in'+'st'='INST'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for inst that I've seen before include "'In the present month, in short (4)'" , "This month in brief, as in corres" , "Business notation for the current month" , "Business usage for this month" , "Present month (abbrev.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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