One may stand at it, a short stand (4)
I believe the answer is:
ease
'one may stand at it a' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'short stand' is the wordplay.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'stand' becomes 'easel' (stand for an artist's canvas).
'easel' with its final letter removed is 'EASE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ease that I've seen before include "Poise or leisure" , "Make less hard" , "Freedom from hardship" , "Reduce (pain)" , "Comfort and repose" .)