Nearer in space or time (6)
I believe the answer is:
closer
'nearer in space or time' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for closer that I've seen before include "Comparatively near" , "Nearer or meaner" , "More near or imminent" , "Cresol (anag.)" , "Less distant" .)