Crossword Genius

Protection for first of ministers to be airbrushed from explosive images (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aegis

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

'ministers to be airbrushed from explosive images' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'protection for first' is the wordplay.
'protection' becomes 'egis' (egis is a kind of protection).
'for' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'first' becomes 'a' (first letter of the alphabet).
'egis' put after 'a' is 'AEGIS'.

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aegis that I've seen before include "Protection - patronage" , "Backing or support" , "Protection or support" , "Friendly endorsement and guidance" , "Protection, backing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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