Praise a blockhead to a smaller degree (5)

I believe the answer is:

bless

'praise' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a blockhead to a smaller degree' is the wordplay.
'a blockhead' becomes 'b' (head letter of 'block').
'to a smaller degree' becomes 'less' (I've seen this in another clue).
'b'+'less'='BLESS'

(Other definitions for bless that I've seen before include "perform consecration" , "Call God's favour upon" , "Invoke divine favour on" , "Wish happiness" , "Order of service" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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