Messenger taking time for a hanger-on (8)
I believe the answer is:
courtier
'a hanger-on' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'messenger taking time' is the wordplay.
'messenger' becomes 'courier' ('courier' can be a synonym of 'messenger').
'taking' indicates putting letters inside.
'time' becomes 't'.
'courier' placed around 't' is 'COURTIER'.
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for courtier that I've seen before include "Attendant on monarch" , "Rosenkrantz,say" , "Royal adviser" , "Messenger" , "royal companion" .)