Crossword Genius

Protective hairstyle (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

braid

(Other definitions for braid that I've seen before include "Hairdo formed by twisting the hair" , "Woven ornamental trimming, often gold" , "Plaited length, of hair say." , "jerk" , "Ornamental strip" .)

I've seen this clue in the USA Today.
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