The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word NANOMETRE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
N
A
N
O
M
E
T
R
E
More clues leading to the result NANOMETRE
- Linear measure not applicable with lack of rhythmic pattern
- Ornament replaced on end of mantelpiece that’s very short
- Granny remote having moved some distance
- Off tee, Norman gets distance
- Fancy ornament placed at the back of the small unit
- Distance from Northern Angola’s remote ruins
- Grandma’s remote, sadly getting very short measure
- Unit of length is reported measure of relativity!
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Unit of length" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case unit of length = nanometre.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does NANOMETRE mean?
NANOMETRE noun- An SI subunit of length equal to 10-9 metres. Symbol: nm