The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word OVERALL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
O
V
E
R
A
L
L
More clues leading to the result OVERALL
- More than a couple of lines in total
- Finished everything? Take this garment off?
- General deliveries a couple of Liberals assembled
- Finished a couple of lengths in total
- Completed a couple of lines on average
- Garment superior to everything else?
- Protective garment, more than a couple of pounds
- Omnipotent in general
- Series of deliveries: each getting blanket
- Finished calls avoiding outsiders on the whole
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "protective cover" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case protective cover = overall.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 OVERALL mean?
OVERALL noun- A garment worn over other clothing to protect it; a coverall or boiler suit. A garment, for manual labor or for casual wear, often made of a single piece of fabric, with long legs and a bib upper, supported from the shoulders with straps, and having several large pockets and loops for carrying tools.
- (in the plural) A garment, worn for manual labor, with an integral covering extending to the chest, supported by straps.
- All-encompassing, all around.
- Generally; with everything considered.