Crossword Genius

Spirited community? (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ghost town

'spirited community?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'spirited community?' is the wordplay.
'spirited' becomes 'ghost' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'community?' becomes 'town' (I've seen this before).
'ghost'+'town'='GHOST TOWN'

(Other definitions for ghost town that I've seen before include "Old settlement, now deserted" , "Deserted urban area" , "Haunted" , "Deserted community" , "abandoned position" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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