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Sailors circle with a musical instrument, complete (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

absolute

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'complete' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'sailors circle with a musical instrument' is the wordplay.
'sailors' becomes 'abs' (AB is short for able seaman).
'circle with' becomes 'o' (O is a circle. I am not sure about the 'with' bit.).
'a musical instrument' becomes 'lute' (lute is a kind of musical instrument).
'abs'+'o'+'lute'='ABSOLUTE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for absolute that I've seen before include "unrestricted by constitutional checks" , "Unconditional, downright," , "for certain" , "Total; unqualified" , "Total or final" .)

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