Crossword Genius

Maintains defences (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

keeps

This clue is a double definition.

'maintains' is the first definition.
('keep' can be a synonym of 'maintain')

'defences' is the second definition.
(keep is a kind of defence)

(Other definitions for keeps that I've seen before include "Retains" , "Stores" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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