Captain has permission to split (6)

I believe the answer is:

cleave

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'to split' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'captain has permission' is the wordplay.
'captain' becomes 'c' (this could be a standard abbreviation of which I'm unaware).
'has' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'permission' becomes 'leave' (leave is permission or authorisation).
'c'+'leave'='CLEAVE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cleave that I've seen before include "Unite together; split apart" , "Part" , "Open" , "Join or split" , "Split as with axe" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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