Crossword Genius

Defeat inspiring passion with defensive system (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

firewall

'defensive system' is the definition.
(eg a computer firewall)

'defeat inspiring passion with' is the wordplay.
'defeat' becomes 'fall' (fall can mean a loss or defeat).
'inspiring' indicates putting letters inside.
'passion' becomes 'ire' (ire is passionate anger).
'with' becomes 'w' (abbreviation).
'ire'+'w'='irew'
'fall' enclosing 'irew' is 'FIREWALL'.

(Other definitions for firewall that I've seen before include "A protective system" , "Computer security system against online attack" , "Software protection for computer" , "network protection" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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