Crossword Genius

Need little time? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shortage

'need' is the definition.
(shortage is a kind of need)

'little time?' is the wordplay.
'little' becomes 'short' ('short' can be similar in meaning to 'little').
'time?' becomes 'age' (age is a kind of time**).
'short'+'age'='SHORTAGE'

(Other definitions for shortage that I've seen before include "Want" , "Dearth, lack" , "Need" , "Scarcity" , "Lack, deficiency" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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