Keeps away from the chasm, while about it (6)
I believe the answer is:
avoids
'keeps away from' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'chasm while about it' is the wordplay.
'chasm' becomes 'void' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'while' becomes 'as' (eg 'while I walked' means 'as I walked').
'about it' indicates putting letters inside (some letters go around or about others).
'void' going into 'as' is 'AVOIDS'.
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for avoids that I've seen before include "Ducks (out of)" , "Shuns, keeps away from" , "Keeps away or refrains from" , "Escapes" , "Stays away from" .)