Crossword Genius

Perfect for protecting one's arms writing in new hostels (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

holsters

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

'perfect for protecting one's arms' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'writing in new hostels' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'writing' could be 'r' (one of the traditional three R's of education) and 'r' is located in the answer.
an anagram of 'hostels' is 'holstes' which is located in the left over letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for holsters that I've seen before include "Sheathes for a handguns" , "Sheaths for handguns" , "Gun holders" , "Holders for handguns" , "Receptacles for hand--guns, pistols etc" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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