Rip set apart with wit and verve (6)

I believe the answer is:

esprit

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'verve' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'rip set apart' is the wordplay.
'apart' indicates an anagram (the word is broken apart).
'rip'+'set'='ripset'
'ripset' is an anagram of 'ESPRIT'.

'with wit and' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for esprit that I've seen before include "... de corps, team spirit" , "Sprightliness" , "Sparkling quality" , "What good corps needs" , "Vivacity, liveliness" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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