Crossword Genius

Spiritless, empty, with just one rug inside (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inanimate

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

'empty with just one rug inside' is the wordplay.
'empty' becomes 'inane' (I've seen this in another clue).
'with' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'just one rug inside' becomes 'imat' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'inane' going around 'imat' is 'INANIMATE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for inanimate that I've seen before include "Not alive" , "Lifeless, showing no signs of activity" , "Dull" , "wooden" , "lacking in spirit" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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