Second rattling sound could be spirit (6)
I believe the answer is:
morale
'be spirit' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for morale that I've seen before include "Mood" , "Spirits" , "external confidence" , "Group spirit and confidence" , "State of mental confidence" .)