Mayfly makes border in record time (8)
I believe the answer is:
ephemera
'mayfly' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'border in record time' is the wordplay.
'border' becomes 'hem' (I've seen this before).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'record' becomes 'EP' (abbreviation for extended play record).
'time' becomes 'era' (an era is a period of time).
'ep'+'era'='epera'
'hem' put inside 'epera' is 'EPHEMERA'.
'makes' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ephemera that I've seen before include "Passing items" , "Short-lived phenomena" , "Mayfly - something short-lived" , "Objects of short-lived usefulness" , "Something transitory, lasting a day" .)