Crossword Genius

A great deal may be killed (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

slew

I believe this is a double definition.

'a great deal' is the first definition.
('slew' can be a synonym of 'great deal')

'be killed' is the second definition.
(historical past tense of slay)

'may' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for slew that I've seen before include "Large number -- killed" , "Dispatched" , "Turn uncontrollably" , "Twist sideways" , "Killed long ago" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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