To many a sailor, a queen (3)

I believe the answer is:

mab

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'a queen' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'to many a sailor' is the wordplay.
'to many' becomes 'm' (Roman numeral for a thousand).
'a sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'm'+'ab'='MAB'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for mab that I've seen is " Queen--, fairy mentioned in Romeo and Juliet".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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