Short cut round the far end (4)
I believe the answer is:
curt
'short' is the definition.
('curt' can be a synonym of 'short')
'cut round the far end' is the wordplay.
'round' indicates putting letters inside.
'end' indicates one should take the final letters.
The last letter of 'far' is 'r'.
'cut' enclosing 'r' is 'CURT'.
(Other definitions for curt that I've seen before include "Concise" , "Brusquely succinct" , "Rudely abrupt, short" , "Brief and terse" , "Rude" .)