Every second in life one accepts this small measure (4)
I believe the answer is:
inch
'small measure' is the definition.
(small length measurement)
'every second in life one accepts' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'in' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ch' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'this' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for inch that I've seen before include "Move by small amounts" , "Foot division" , "Irish island" , "Edge slowly" , "Short measure; island" .)