Crossword Genius

Monkey shown without tail in animation (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

verve

'animation' is the definition.
(I know that verve is a type of energy)

'monkey shown without tail' is the wordplay.
'monkey' becomes 'vervet' (vervet is a kind of monkey).
'shown without tail' means to remove the last letter.
'vervet' with its final letter taken off is 'VERVE'.

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for verve that I've seen before include "Life" , "Vigour, spirit, style" , "Sparkling enthusiasm" , "Sparkle" , "Energy and zest" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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