Crossword Genius

Left gold for respected poet (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

laureate

'respected poet' is the definition.
(as in a Poet Laureate)

'left gold' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'L' (common abbreviation).
'gold' becomes 'aureate' (synonyms).
'l'+'aureate'='LAUREATE'

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for laureate that I've seen before include "National poet" , "Acclaimed pacifist" , "Honoured by a distinction" , "Honoured poet" , "One given an award" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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