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Sailor sent to quarters for being a defaulter (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

absentee

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'a defaulter' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'sailor sent to quarters' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'to quarters' becomes 'ee' (two E's - East is a quarter).
'ab'+'sent'+'ee'='ABSENTEE'

'for being' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for absentee that I've seen before include "One failing to attend" , "One who stays away" , "to prompt a hearty increase in affection!" , "Deserter - truant b" , "He's not here!" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Globe and Mail.
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