The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word PLATED
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Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Wearing armour/ready to serve" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case wearing armour/ready to serve = plated.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 PLATED mean?
PLATED verb- To cover the surface material of an object with a thin coat of another material, usually a metal.
- To place the various elements of a meal on the diner's plate prior to serving.
- To score a run.
- To arm or defend with metal plates.
- To beat into thin plates.
- (travel industry) To specify which airline a ticket will be issued on behalf of.
- To categorise stamps based on their position on the original sheet, in order to reconstruct an entire sheet.
- (particularly with early British stamps) to identify the printing plate used.
- Covered with plates or scales.
- Having a coating of a more precious metal.
- Served on a plate.