Crossword Genius

Honoured the troop leader during a meal (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

feted

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'honoured' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with social activities as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'the troop leader during a meal' is the wordplay.
'leader' indicates taking the first letters.
'during' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'a meal' becomes 'feed' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
The initial letter of 'troop' is 't'.
't' inserted within 'feed' is 'FETED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for feted that I've seen before include "Wined, dined and honoured" , "Lionised" , "Wined and dined, celebrated" , "Honoured lavishly" , "Honoured with festivities" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.