Short twisted fibre (5)
I believe the answer is:
brief
'short' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'twisted fibre' is the wordplay.
'twisted' indicates an anagram.
'fibre' anagrammed gives 'BRIEF'.
(Other definitions for brief that I've seen before include "not lasting long" , "Short in duration" , "Solicitor" , "brusque > QC, perhaps" , "scanty" .)