Picked up smooth spirit measure – a sensational thing (9)
I believe the answer is:
melodrama
'sensational thing' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'picked up smooth spirit measure a' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'measure' could be 'dram' (dram is a kind of measure) and 'dram' is found in the answer.
'a' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for melodrama that I've seen before include "Tear-jerker" , "Sensational stage work" , "Old play in emotional and sensational style" , "Extravagantly styled play" , "Exceptionally sensational play" .)