Like a professor, possibly merited no end of acclaim around university? (7)
I believe the answer is:
erudite
'like' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for erudite that I've seen before include "Having deep knowledge" , "Learned and literate" , "Showing profound knowledge" , "Rue diet for the learned" , "Possessing great learning" .)