Word before "Man" or "Maiden" (4)
I believe the answer is:
iron
'word before man or maiden' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for iron that I've seen before include "Former dividing line across Europe" , "Flatten; element" , "The metallic element plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood" , "Main element in steel" , "1 down, symbol Fe" .)