Crossword Genius

Rail madly about half-cut PM (the one preceding May) (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

april

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

'one preceding may' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to time as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'rail madly about half-cut pm' is the wordplay.
'madly' is an anagram indicator.
'about' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'half cut' suggests halving the letters.
'rail' is an anagram of 'aril'.
'pm' halved is 'p'.
'aril' going around 'p' is 'APRIL'.

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for april that I've seen before include "'All in an ... evening' (Katharine Tynan)" , "Part of spring" , "Start of the financial year" , "Calendar month" , "''... is the cruellest month''(Elliot)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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