A large number killed (4)

I believe the answer is:

slew

This clue is a double definition.

'a large number' is the first definition.
(slew can mean a large amount of something)

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

(Other definitions for slew that I've seen before include "Killed - swing" , "Change direction abruptly" , "Slaughtered" , "Uncontrollable turn/slide" , "Large number -- killed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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