Cover for work by old master (8)
I believe the answer is:
template
'cover for work' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'old master' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'old' could be 'late' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'late' is located in the answer.
'master' could be 'm' (common abbreviation eg MA, Master of Art) and 'm' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'by' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for template that I've seen before include "Model from which copies are made" , "Pattern for document etc" , "Prototype" , "Pattern for cutting out shapes" , "Pattern shape" .)