Crossword Genius

Prisoner kept in a lift with no sign of life (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inanimate

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

'prisoner kept in a lift with no sign of life' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'prisoner kept in a lift' is the wordplay.
'prisoner' becomes 'inmate' (inmate is a kind of prisoner).
'kept' is an insertion indicator.
'lift' is a reversal indicator (I've seen 'lifting' mean this).
'in'+'a'='ina'
'ina' back-to-front is 'ani'.
'inmate' placed around 'ani' is 'INANIMATE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for inanimate that I've seen before include "Dull" , "Lifeless, showing no signs of activity" , "Unlikely to move" , "Still" , "wooden" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app