Crossword Genius

Gathers round after end of performance to offer respect (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

esteem

'respect' is the definition.
(I know that respect can be written as esteem)

'gathers round after end of performance' is the wordplay.
'gathers' becomes 'meets' ('meet' can be a synonym of 'gather').
'round' is a reversal indicator.
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'end of' suggests the final letters.
The last letter of 'performance' is 'e'.
'meets' written backwards gives 'steem'.
'steem' put after 'e' is 'ESTEEM'.

'to offer' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for esteem that I've seen before include "judge" , "gain respect" , "'Regard, respect (6)'" , "Look upon favourably" , "Revere(nce)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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