Crossword Genius

What can raise lumps needing at first to be covered by clothing (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tongs

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'what can raise lumps' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'needing at first to be covered by clothing' is the wordplay.
'at first' says to take the initial letters.
'to be covered by' indicates putting letters inside.
'clothing' becomes 'togs' (togs is a kind of clothing).
The first letter of 'needing' is 'n'.
'n' inserted into 'togs' is 'TONGS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tongs that I've seen before include "Gripping device with two hinged legs" , "Sugar grabber" , "Sugar-cube grabbers" , "Tool used for picking up things" , "lots of criminals out East" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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