Put off the last one taken in as guardian (8)
I believe the answer is:
defender
'guardian' is the definition.
(I know that guardian can be written as defender)
'put off the last one taken in' is the wordplay.
'put off' becomes 'defer' (synonyms).
'the last' becomes 'end' (I've seen this in another clue).
'one taken in' indicates putting letters inside.
'defer' going around 'end' is 'DEFENDER'.
'as' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for defender that I've seen before include "Guardian" , "One who protects from danger or takes one's side" , "Goalkeeper" , "One who protects others" , "Centre half, perhaps" .)