Pallid as Patsy may be (5)
I believe the answer is:
pasty
'pallid' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'patsy may be' is the wordplay.
'may be' is an anagram indicator.
'patsy' anagrammed gives 'PASTY'.
'as' is the link.
(Other definitions for pasty that I've seen before include "Cornish speciality" , "Far from healthy-looking" , "Meat-filled pastry dish" , "Meat and veg pie" , "Cornish pie" .)