Advantageous to protect decorative pillar (4)

I believe the answer is:

anta

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'decorative pillar' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'advantageous to protect' is the wordplay.
'to protect' indicates a hidden word (the answer is protected by the clue).
'ANTA' is hidden in the letters of 'advantageous'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for anta that I've seen before include "square column" , "PILASTER?" , "tapir" , "architectural feature" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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