Crossword Genius

Linesman appointed at Palace (4,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

poet laureate

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

'palace' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'linesman appointed' is the wordplay.
'linesman' becomes 'poet'.
'appointed' becomes 'laureate' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'poet'+'laureate'='POET LAUREATE'

'at' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for poet laureate that I've seen before include "Court verse writer" , "Queen picked out" , "Court versifier" , "Official verse writer" , "such as Tennyson" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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