Cut short on the way to port (6)
I believe the answer is:
shaven
'cut short' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'the way to port' is the wordplay.
'the way' becomes 's' (Compass direction - South).
'to port' becomes 'haven' (both can mean a place of safety).
's'+'haven'='SHAVEN'
'on' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for shaven that I've seen before include "With hair removed (N, not D)" , "Without a beard" , "Hairless after work with razor" , "lacking coverage" , "without locks" .)