Crossword Genius

Speak well of former lover to first lover (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

extol

'speak well of' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'former lover to first lover' is the wordplay.
'former lover' becomes 'ex' (an ex-lover).
'first lover' becomes 'l' (1st letter of 'lover').
'ex'+'to'+'l'='EXTOL'

(Other definitions for extol that I've seen before include "Highly rate" , "be lavish with praise" , "Magnify" , "Speak highly" , "Highly commend" .)

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