It's short of spirit! (5)
I believe the answer is:
meths
'spirit' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for meths that I've seen before include "Violet-coloured alcohol" , "unsuitable alcohol" , "Spirit" , "Methylated spirits (colloq.)" , "Fuel" .)