Go through the letters for a certain amount of time (5)

I believe the answer is:

spell

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'time' is the definition.
(both can mean a short period of time)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for spell that I've seen before include "Short time - magical incantation" , "Words with magical power, or a period of time" , "Magical charm; period" , "Magic words - period of time" , "Charm - recite letters in word" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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