For protection against the elements (8)
I believe the answer is:
umbrella
'for protection against the elements' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for umbrella that I've seen before include "protective cover" , "Portable, protective canopy" , "Handheld collapsible canopy" , "Rain protector" , "What may go up when the rain comes down" .)