Crossword Genius

Range of colours allowed in meat spread (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

palette

'range of colours' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'allowed in meat spread' is the wordplay.
'allowed' becomes 'let' (I've seen this before).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'meat spread' becomes 'pate' (I've seen this before).
'let' inserted inside 'pate' is 'PALETTE'.

(Other definitions for palette that I've seen before include "Painter's equipment" , "Artist's range of colours" , "Painter's utensil" , "Artist's board with thumb-hole" , "colourful board?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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