What does the cryptic crossword clue "Brief excitement over ancient statesman bowing in a certain way (8)" mean?

The definition is "bowing in a certain way". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). SPIC (synonym="SPIC") + CATO (synonym="ancient statesman") = SPICCATO The answer is SPICCATO.

Brief excitement over ancient statesman bowing in a certain way (8)

Times Cryptic #28814 | 16 Down | 2024-01-16 flower

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