Tavern holds answer - one friend is lifeless (9)
I believe the answer is:
inanimate
'lifeless' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'tavern holds answer one friend' is the wordplay.
'tavern' becomes 'inn' (I've seen this in another clue).
'holds' is an insertion indicator.
'answer' becomes 'a' (abbreviation eg in Q and A).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'friend' becomes 'mate' (mate is a kind of friend).
'inn' enclosing 'a' is 'inan'.
'inan'+'i'+'mate'='INANIMATE'
'is' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for inanimate that I've seen before include "lacking in spirit" , "Not endowed with life" , "dead" , "Without life" , "Still" .)