Pardon seaman's answer (7)

I believe the answer is:

absolve

'pardon' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'seaman's answer' is the wordplay.
'seaman' becomes 'ab'.
'answer' becomes 'solve' (**).
'ab'+'solve'='ABSOLVE'

(Other definitions for absolve that I've seen before include "Clear of blame or guilt" , "Declare (someone) blameless" , "Cleanse" , "Excuse" , "Exculpate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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