The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word FIEND
F
I
E
N
D
More clues leading to the result FIEND
- Provided with backing, cease being addict
- China expels Republican ‘devil’
- Devil providing heaven-bound, overcoming target
- Demon discovery with buried treasure, ultimately
- Addict‘s okay with last couple changing date
- Quaker reading banished devil
- Well-wisher gets rid of the castle's evil spirit
- Devil’s companion gets rid of Republican
- Beast could be intimate without resistance
- Addict okay with last couple swapping day
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "evil spirit" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case evil spirit = fiend.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FIEND mean?
FIEND noun- A devil or demon; a malignant or diabolical being; an evil spirit.
- A very evil person.
- An enemy; a foe.
- The enemy of mankind, specifically, the Devil; Satan.
- An addict or fanatic.
- To yearn; to be desperate (for something).