Crossword Genius

Mere meal provider? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

male

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

'provider?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'mere meal' is the wordplay.
'meal' can be anagrammed to 'MALE'.
But, I am unsure how the anagram is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for male that I've seen before include "man?" , "As are drakes, bulls etc." , "Maldives capital; masculine" , "Lame sort of fellow" , "One cannot have babies" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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