When going round the abyss, keeps well away from it (6)
I believe the answer is:
avoids
But I can't explain it at all! Could you help me understand?
(Other definitions for avoids that I've seen before include "Keeps away or refrains from" , "Escapes" , "Shuns, keeps away from" , "Ducks (out of)" , "Stays away from" .)