Doing away with a sailor! (5)
I believe the answer is:
about
'doing away with a sailor' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'away with a sailor' is the wordplay.
'away' becomes 'out' (similar in meaning).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'a sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'out' after 'ab' is 'ABOUT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for about that I've seen before include "Regarding" , "In conection with, all around" , "Apropos, concerning" , "Not exactly - concerning" , "On the topic of" .)