CV in a real mess for one working overseas in the past (7)

I believe the answer is:

caravel

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'past' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for caravel that I've seen before include "Spanish ship" , "small boat" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.

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