Sign or expression of praise (8)
I believe the answer is:
accolade
'sign or expression of praise' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for accolade that I've seen before include "Great praise or elevation to knighthood" , "Special honour as an acknowledgment of merit" , "Approval, acclaim" , "Acclaim; mark of honour" , "Praise, or touch on shoulder to confer knighthood" .)