Approve of the French returning for the Oriental naval officer (7)
I believe the answer is:
admiral
'naval officer' is the definition.
(commander of a naval fleet)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for admiral that I've seen before include "Powerful sailor" , "Highest ranking naval officer" , "Brightly coloured butterfly" , "Navy chief" , "[NELSON] perhaps" .)