Brave article in vital spread (7)
I believe the answer is:
valiant
'brave' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'article in vital spread' is the wordplay.
'article' becomes 'an' (indefinite article).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'spread' indicates an anagram.
'vital' with letters rearranged gives 'valit'.
'an' put into 'valit' is 'VALIANT'.
(Other definitions for valiant that I've seen before include "Brave - resolute" , "Stout" , "Heroic" , "Stout-hearted" , "Showing courage" .)