Crossword Genius

Enterprise, say, opening small joint (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spaceship

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'enterprise' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'opening small joint' is the wordplay.
'opening' becomes 'space' (I've seen this in another clue).
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'joint' becomes 'hip joint' (part of body).
'space'+'s'+'hip'='SPACESHIP'

'say' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spaceship that I've seen before include "Transport that's out of this world" , "orbiter, perhaps" , "Challenger possibly" , "long-distance vessel" , "Craft for an astronaut" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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