Time English dog gives up egg (5)

I believe the answer is:

epoch

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'time' is the definition.
(epoch is a kind of time)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for epoch that I've seen before include "Period of time in history" , "Point in time fixed by some great event" , "Period of time marked by a great event" , "Period of notable events" , "Distinctive period of time" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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