Crossword Genius

European is three quarters protected (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

swiss

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

'european' is the definition.
(Switzerland is in Europe)

'is three quarters protected' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'is' is found in the answer.
'quarters' could be 'ws' and 'ws' is found within the leftover letters.
A single letter 's' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for swiss that I've seen before include "Relating to Switzerland" , "Eg, native to Geneva" , "-- Cheese plant; -- roll" , "Native to Geneva, say" , "Like William Tell" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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