State time lived to be mean (7)
I believe the answer is:
average
'be mean' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'state time' is the wordplay.
'state' becomes 'aver' (both can mean to declare).
'time' becomes 'age' (an age is a period of time).
'aver'+'age'='AVERAGE'
'lived to' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for average that I've seen before include "Mean - ordinary" , "About normal or usual" , "Mean; standard" , "Mediocre, commonplace" , "Usual - mediocre - mean" .)