Crossword Genius

In knightly combat, it helped to save face (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

visor

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'face' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for visor that I've seen before include "Face guard; sun screen" , "Sunshade" , "Face-protector" , "Movable front part of helmet" , "Means of saving face" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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