Crossword Genius

Reporters wore thyme in the early forties (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wartime

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'thyme in the early forties' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for wartime that I've seen is " Eg, nineteen thirty nine to nineteen fourty five".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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