Crossword Genius

Department prepared to defend head of research lab? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dordogne

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'department' is the definition.
(I know that Dordogne is a department)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dordogne that I've seen before include "Department of SW France" , "French region" , "Popular holiday area of SW France" , "French department" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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