Watch the performer giving the encore? (8)
I believe the answer is:
repeater
'watch' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'performer giving the encore?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'encore?' could be 'repeat' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'repeat' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'er' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for repeater that I've seen before include "Timepiece that strikes the hours" , "Maybe watch" , "Handgun able to fire again without reloading" , "habitual criminal" , "Amplifier in phone line" .)