Short stops (6)
I believe the answer is:
pauses
'short stops' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Short stops ' mean 'pauses' so perhaps 'stops' could also mean 'pauses'; 'short' indicates an abbreviation)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for pauses that I've seen before include "Short breaks in business" , "Stops or rests briefly" , "Temporary halts" , "Brief interruptions" , "Short silences" .)