The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word RAMPARTS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
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More clues leading to the result RAMPARTS
- Animals retaining some means of defence
- Some fortification in fleece and horns, for example?
- Heads of regulatory authorities may bring back corporal punishment for banks
- Fortifications: force down hard and strap up
- Batter sections surrounding embankments
- Sheep breaks fortifications
- Racket skills which are used defensively
- Defences made with memory bits
- Forces surrounding some fortifications
- St. Louis footballer splits defenses
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The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does RAMPARTS mean?
RAMPARTS noun- A defensive mound of earth or a wall with a broad top and usually a stone parapet; a wall-like ridge of earth, stones or debris; an embankment for defensive purpose.
- A defensive structure; a protective barrier; a bulwark.
- That which defends against intrusion from outside; a protection.
- (usually in the plural) A steep bank of a river or gorge.