Short note that provides some cover for members (4)
I believe the answer is:
mini
'short note that provides some cover for members' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'short note' is the wordplay.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'note' becomes 'minim' (type of musical note).
'minim' with its last letter removed is 'MINI'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mini that I've seen before include "Brief" , "Baby" , "Car designed by Issigonis" , "vehicle" , "Little - car" .)