A couple of pages to praise and praise (7)

I believe the answer is:

applaud

'praise' is the definition.
(I know this)

'a couple of pages to praise' is the wordplay.
'couple of' shows that letters should be duplicated.
'pages' becomes 'p'.
'to praise' becomes 'laud' (lauding is a kind of praising).
'p' duplicated is 'pp'.
'a'+'pp'+'laud'='APPLAUD'

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for applaud that I've seen before include "Express approval of a performance" , "Express approbation" , "Show approval by clapping hands" , "Clap; praise" , "Commend audibly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail, The Guardian and The Telegraph.

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