The term 'PROTECTS, IN A WAY' can be solved by two crossword solutions: ARMORS (6 letters) and ENCASES (7 letters). ARMORS refers to protective clothing or gear made of metal or other strong material that is worn to defend against attack. This type of protection has been used since ancient times and is still used today in some military and sporting contexts. ENCASES, on the other hand, means to enclose something in a protective covering or shell. This could refer to anything from a piece of jewelry to a delicate item that needs to be kept safe. Both terms refer to ways of protecting something, either through physical armor or by encasing it in a protective covering.