See opus taking shape and give support (7)

I believe the answer is:

espouse

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

'give support' is the definition.

'see opus taking shape' is the wordplay.
'see opus' can be anagrammed to 'ESPOUSE'.
Though, I am unsure how this is indicated.

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for espouse that I've seen before include "Marry -- take on as a cause" , "Take on, a cause say" , "Give support to - see soup (anag)" , "Embrace" , "help!" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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