The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word FUSEE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
F
U
S
E
E
More clues leading to the result FUSEE
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "part of it /part of it" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case part of it /part of it = fusee.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FUSEE mean?
FUSEE noun- A light musket or firelock.
- A conical, grooved pulley in early clocks.
- A large friction match.
- A fuse for an explosive.
- A colored flare used as a warning on the railroad.
- A fusil, or flintlock musket.
- The track of a buck.
- One who, or that which, fuses or is fused; an individual component of a fusion.