Crossword Genius

Staff held in a sort of respect (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sceptre

'staff' is the definition.
(sceptre is a kind of staff)

'a sort of respect' is the wordplay.
'a sort of' is an anagram indicator.
'respect' is an anagram of 'SCEPTRE'.

'held in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for sceptre that I've seen before include "Rod of office" , "Queen's staff" , "Royal baton" , "Ruler's staff" , "Respect (anag) -- symbol of ruler's authority" .)

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