Fabric with metallic threads (4)
I believe the answer is:
lame
'fabric with metallic threads' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for lame that I've seen before include "Weak kind of excuse for halting walk" , "Halt" , "Disabled in leg or foot" , "Crippled" , "(Of an excuse) unconvincingly feeble" .)