Enter a clue or pattern or both:
The Clue
Temporary protectors (5 letter answer)
The Answer
SCABS
Tags
Notes
The answer SCABS is uncommon, appearing about once every 450 puzzles.
Related Clues
Eschars
Finks
Strikebreakers
Picket provokers
Plant diseases
"Scotch fiddles"
Scotch fiddles
Signs of healing
Sore spots?
Strike breakers
Strikers' nemeses
Union enemies
Union flouters
Union foes
Union targets
Unpopular workers
Picket line crossers
Replacement refs, maybe?
Definition
SCAB as a noun:
1. (scab, strikebreaker, blackleg, rat) = someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike
2. the crustlike surface of a healing skin lesion
SCAB as a verb:
1. form a scab; "the wounds will eventually scab"
2. (fink, scab, rat, blackleg) = take the place of work of someone on strike