Crossword Genius

Covers preserve work that is special (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

canopies

'covers' is the definition.
(canopying is a kind of covering)

'preserve work that is special' is the wordplay.
'preserve' becomes 'can' (canning is a kind of preserving).
'work' becomes 'opie' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'that is special' becomes 's' (common abbreviation as in Special Air Service).
'can'+'opie'+'s'='CANOPIES'

(Other definitions for canopies that I've seen before include "Coverings to shelter an area from the weather" , "Coverings over a bed, throne, etc." .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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