This provides cover until para breaks out (9)

I believe the answer is:

tarpaulin

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'this provides cover' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'until para breaks out' is the wordplay.
'breaks out' is an anagram indicator.
'until'+'para'='untilpara'
'untilpara' with letters rearranged gives 'TARPAULIN'.

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(Other definitions for tarpaulin that I've seen before include "It provides protection" , "oilskin hat" , "[SHHET]" , "seaman rarely required" , "protective headgear" .)

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