The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word SHEATHE
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
S
H
E
A
T
H
E
More clues leading to the result SHEATHE
- He hates arranging cover
- Safely store sulphur beside plant, cropped
- That woman has two articles to enclose
- Cover point, he catches Cook
- Put away, he hates to reform
- Cover that woman to keep warmth in
- Cover article supporting nut tree
- Woman’s entertaining magazine cover
- Protect small moorland plant river washed away
- Enclose one magazine inside another
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Protect" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case protect = sheathe.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 SHEATHE mean?
SHEATHE verb- To put (something such as a knife or sword) into a sheath.
- To encase (something) with a protective covering.
- Of an animal: to draw back or retract (a body part) into the body, such as claws into a paw.
- To thrust (a sharp object like a sword, a claw, or a tusk) into something.
- To abandon or cease (animosity, etc.)
- To provide (a sword, etc.) with a sheath.
- To relieve the harsh or painful effect of (a drug, a poison, etc.).