Distribute the cards (4)
I believe the answer is:
deal
'distribute the cards' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for deal that I've seen before include "Large quantity (of wood?)" , "A port; a (good) amount" , "Fir or pine wood" , "Put cards on table" , "What business folk do" .)