Given protection, being cautious (7)
I believe the answer is:
guarded
'cautious' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'given protection being' is the wordplay.
'given' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'protection' becomes 'guard' (I've seen this before).
'being' becomes 'ed' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'guard' put next to 'ed' is 'GUARDED'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for guarded that I've seen before include "Protected from a drudge" , "Cautious, having reservations" , "Cautious - or protected" , "with escort" , "Very reluctant to give out information" .)