Like a quiet suspension of activity from surface cover? (7)
I believe the answer is:
asphalt
'surface cover?' is the definition.
'asphalt' can be an answer for 'surface' (I have seen 'surface of path' mean 'asphalt' so perhaps 'surface' could also mean 'asphalt'). I'm not certain of the 'cover?' bit.
'like a quiet suspension of activity' is the wordplay.
'like' becomes 'as'.
'a quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano', ie soft or quiet).
'suspension of activity' becomes 'halt' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'as'+'p'+'halt'='ASPHALT'
'from' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for asphalt that I've seen before include "Bituminous substance used for roofs and roads" , "Material for covering roads" , "Road surface material" , "surface of path" , "Bituminous road dressing" .)