A protégé’s recognition of merit (5)

I believe the answer is:

award

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'recognition of merit' is the definition.
'award' can be an answer for 'merit' (thesaurus). I'm unsure of the 'recognition of' bit.

'a protege's' is the wordplay.
'protege' becomes 'ward' (both can mean a child in someone's care).
'a'+'ward'='AWARD'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for award that I've seen before include "Prize or other mark of recognition" , "Perhaps Tony" , "Honour, accolade." , "Adjudge" , "Allotment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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