Crossword Genius

Poet's previously gained and regularly earned returns (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

erenow

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

'poet's previously' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'gained and regularly earned returns' is the wordplay.
'gained' becomes 'won' (I've seen this in another clue).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'regularly' means one should take alternating letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
'returns' says the letters should be written backwards.
The alternate letters of 'earned' are 'ere'.
'won'+'ere'='wonere'
'wonere' backwards is 'ERENOW'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for erenow that I've seen before include "Before the present" , "Before this time (poet.)" , "Before this time (arch.)" , "Hitherto" , "previously" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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