Short fibre, possibly (5)
I believe the answer is:
brief
'short' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'fibre possibly' is the wordplay.
'possibly' indicates an anagram.
'fibre' is an anagram of 'BRIEF'.
(Other definitions for brief that I've seen before include "Summary of facts for barrister to consider" , "Fibre (anag.)" , "Case given to a barrister" , "put in the picture" , "Short - work for counsel" .)