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He goes to court to protect a worker (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

defendant

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'he goes to court' is the definition.
The answer is a person as well as being a singular noun. This is suggested by the definition.

'protect a worker' is the wordplay.
'protect' becomes 'defend' (defending is a kind of protecting).
'a worker' becomes 'ant' (worker is a type of ant).
'defend'+'ant'='DEFENDANT'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for defendant that I've seen before include "Against whom an action is brought in a law court" , "The one before the court" , "One charged" , "Person accused" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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