Father's time perhaps? (4)

I believe the answer is:

past

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'perhaps?' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adverbs. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'father's time' is the wordplay.
'father's' becomes 'pa's' (pa can mean dad or father).
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'pas'+'t'='PAST'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for past that I've seen before include "tense" , "Second visitor in 5 [A CHRISTMAS CAROL]" , "Bygone" , "Ended" , "over and done with" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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