Crossword Genius

Skilful century and a half, always (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

clever

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

'skilful' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'century and a half always' is the wordplay.
'century' becomes 'cl' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'a half' suggests halving the letters.
'always' becomes 'evermore' (I've seen this in another clue).
'evermore' halved is 'ever'.
'cl'+'ever'='CLEVER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for clever that I've seen before include "Gifted" , "Deft, able, bright" , "Smart and ingenious" , "Sharp and able" , "Cute" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app