Fully comprehend the sailor’s sphere (6)

I believe the answer is:

absorb

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'fully comprehend' is the definition.
'absorb' can be an answer for 'comprehend' (thesaurus). I'm not certain of the 'fully' bit.

'sailor's sphere' is the wordplay.
'sailor's' becomes 'ab's' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'sphere' becomes 'orb' (orb is a kind of sphere).
'abs'+'orb'='ABSORB'

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for absorb that I've seen before include "Grip" , "Take in, soak up." , "hold" , "Assimilate, ingest" , "Assimilate, integrate" .)

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

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