Short measure of time in the middle (10)

I believe the answer is:

centimetre

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'short measure' is the definition.
'centimetre' can be an answer for 'measure' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'short' bit.

'of time in the middle' is the wordplay.
'of' is an anagram indicator (the answer comes from or 'of' the letters).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'the middle' becomes 'centre' (synonyms).
'time' anagrammed gives 'imet'.
'imet' placed into 'centre' is 'CENTIMETRE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for centimetre that I've seen before include "Short length" , "Hundredth of a metre" , "Short distance" , "Measure" , "From a little distance" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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