Lively friend dipping into a new set of papers? (8)
I believe the answer is:
animated
'lively' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'friend dipping into a new set of papers?' is the wordplay.
'friend' becomes 'mate' (mate is a kind of friend).
'dipping into' indicates putting letters inside.
'a new' becomes 'an' (I've seen this in other clues).
'set of papers?' becomes 'id' (as in ID papers).
'an'+'id'='anid'
'mate' going into 'anid' is 'ANIMATED'.
(Other definitions for animated that I've seen before include "Mandate I confer on the lively" , "Lively in diamante" , "full of spirit" , "Interesting and lively - as a cartoon film is" , "Vivacious in diamante" .)