Able seaman in a new place (7)
I believe the answer is:
capable
'able' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'seaman in a new place' is the wordplay.
'seaman' becomes 'ab' (short for able seaman).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'a new' indicates an anagram.
'place' with letters rearranged gives 'caple'.
'ab' inserted within 'caple' is 'CAPABLE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for capable that I've seen before include "Of a person, competent" , "Able, competent" , "accomplished" , "Efficient" , "Competent, having a certain ability" .)