Almost lose sight of the sprite (6)

I believe the answer is:

goblin

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

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for goblin that I've seen before include "Mischievous ugly creature of folklore" , "Naughty sprite" , "Small grotesque sprite" , "magical creature" , "Malevolent imp" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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