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Qualified to give a seaman a bit of a lesson (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

able

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'qualified' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'give a seaman a bit of a lesson' is the wordplay.
'give' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'a seaman' becomes 'ab' (short for able seaman).
'a bit of a lesson' becomes 'le' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'ab'+'le' is 'ABLE'.

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for able that I've seen before include "Competent and fit, like sailor" , "With the required capacities" , "Skilled" , "Competent, having ability" , "Competent - sort of seaman" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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