Endless attempt to get support material (6)

I believe the answer is:

canvas

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

'material' is the definition.
(I know that canvas is a type of material)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for canvas that I've seen before include "Heavy cloth of sails, tents etc" , "Painting - sails" , "An artist paints on it" , "Strong coarse cloth" , "Material for tents, etc" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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