Crossword Genius

Honour rise of the Spanish maid in Paris (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ennoble

'honour' is the definition.
(ennobling is a kind of honouring)

'rise of the spanish maid in paris' is the wordplay.
'rise of' is a reversal indicator.
'the spanish' becomes 'el'.
'maid in paris' becomes 'bonne' (French term for a nursemaid).
'el'+'bonne'='elbonne'
'elbonne' backwards is 'ENNOBLE'.

(Other definitions for ennoble that I've seen before include "Lend dignity or honour to" , "Noel Ben (anag)" , "Make a peer" , "Dignify" , "Bestow honour upon" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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