Dry a very short time (3)
I believe the answer is:
sec
This clue is a double definition.
'dry' is the first definition.
(similar in meaning)
'a very short time' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
(Other definitions for sec that I've seen before include "Moderately dry, champagne say" , "sort of function" , "'Dry, as wine (3)'" , "very short space of time" , "Dry, like wine" .)