Crossword Genius

Lively tango a maiden is dancing (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

animated

'lively' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'tango a maiden is dancing' is the wordplay.
'tango' becomes 'T' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'is dancing' indicates anagramming the letters.
't'+'a'+'maiden'='tamaiden'
'tamaiden' anagrammed gives 'ANIMATED'.

(Other definitions for animated that I've seen before include "full of spirit" , "Enlivened (like a cartoon film)" , "Diamante (anag)" , "in cartoon form" , "Vivacious in diamante" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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