Some time taken to form words (5)
I believe the answer is:
spell
'words' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Magic words ' mean 'spell' so perhaps 'words' could also mean 'spell')
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for spell that I've seen before include "Formula believed to have magical force" , "Name in order the letters of the alphabet involved" , "Identify individual characters" , "Incantation; splinter of wood" , "Trance" .)