Crossword Genius

Copper maybe encountered a student (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

metal

'copper maybe' is the definition.
(I know that Cu is a type of metal)

'encountered a student' is the wordplay.
'encountered' becomes 'met' ('meet' can be a synonym of 'encounter').
'student' becomes 'l' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'met'+'a'+'l'='METAL'

(Other definitions for metal that I've seen before include "Given lead, perhaps" , "Conducting solid" , "barium?" , "Element eg for road or rail" , "tin, perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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