Old lover, an officer, gives lift (5)
I believe the answer is:
exalt
'lift' is the definition.
(I know that exalt is a more specific form of the action lift)
'old lover an officer' is the wordplay.
'old lover' becomes 'ex' (an ex-lover).
'an' becomes 'a'.
'officer' becomes 'lt' (abbreviation for lieutenant).
'ex'+'a'+'lt'='EXALT'
'gives' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for exalt that I've seen before include "Raise in rank, character, or status" , "delight" , "Praise highly" , "Raise in praise" , "Raise high, glorify" .)