Crossword Genius

Talks online after repellent creature given protective coat (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

laminated

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'talks online after repellent creature given protective coat' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'given protective coat' is the wordplay.
'given' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'protective' becomes 'd' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'coat' becomes 'laminate' (to laminate is to coat in plastic).
'd' after 'laminate' is 'LAMINATED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for laminated that I've seen before include "Hard-skinned" , "Split into layers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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