Peer before the appointed time stops short (4)
I believe the answer is:
earl
'peer' is the definition.
(earl is a kind of peer)
'time stops short' is the wordplay.
'time' becomes 'early' (I've seen this in other clues).
'stops short' means to remove the last letter (I've seen 'stopping short' mean this).
'early' with its final letter removed is 'EARL'.
'before the appointed' acts as a link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for earl that I've seen before include "Count" , "Real (anag) - nobleman" , "Sandwich perhaps" , "One who's been elevated" , "Male member of British nobility" .)