An item in a lifeless form (9)

I believe the answer is:

inanimate

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'an item in a lifeless form' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'an item in a lifeless form' is the wordplay.
'an item in a' anagrams to 'INANIMATE'.
Though, I'm not sure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for inanimate that I've seen before include "Not alive" , "wooden" , "Unlikely to move" , "spiritless" , "Still" .)

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

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