Crossword Genius

Young support English protecting badger (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

teenage

'young' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'support english protecting badger' is the wordplay.
'support' becomes 'tee' (tee is a kind of support).
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'protecting' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are held or protected).
'badger' becomes 'nag' (both can mean to annoy or complain at).
'tee'+'e'='teee'
'teee' enclosing 'nag' is 'TEENAGE'.

(Other definitions for teenage that I've seen before include "Gee, neat (anag)" , "Youthful" , "of seven difficult years" , "Eat gene to become young" , "Like a category of youngsters" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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