Crossword Genius

One granny and one friend, lifeless (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inanimate

'lifeless' is the definition.
('inanimate' can be similar in meaning to 'lifeless')

'one granny and one friend' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'granny' becomes 'nan'.
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'friend' becomes 'mate' (mate is a kind of friend**).
'i'+'nan'+'i'+'mate'='INANIMATE'

(Other definitions for inanimate that I've seen before include "Dull" , "wooden" , "Lacking life" , "Not living" , "Showing no feeling" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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