Improve status of the French, after reflecting what’s good for France (7)
I believe the answer is:
ennoble
'improve' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'status of the french after reflecting what's good for france' is the wordplay.
'status of' becomes 'en' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'the french' becomes 'le' ('the' in French).
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'reflecting' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'what's good for france' becomes 'bon' ('good' in French).
'bon' written backwards gives 'nob'.
'le' put after 'nob' is 'noble'.
'en'+'noble'='ENNOBLE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ennoble that I've seen before include "Make a peer" , "Elevate to the aristocracy" , "Glorify - confer honour upon" , "Bestow high rank upon" , "Elevate; honour" .)