Crossword Genius

Half of it used during a meal may be silver (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

metal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'be silver' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'half of it used during a meal' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'it' could be 't' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis) and 't' is found in the answer.
'a' is within the answer.
The remaining letters 'mel' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'may' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for metal that I've seen before include "Copper, perhaps" , "Broken stones" , "employed in making roads" , "Musically it can be heavy" , "Eg, titanium" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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