Absolving old sailor — one is involved (11)
I believe the answer is:
exonerating
'absolving' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being present participle verbs.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'old sailor one is involved' is the wordplay.
'old' becomes 'ex'.
'sailor' becomes 'rating' (British term for a naval enlisted man).
'is involved' indicates putting letters inside.
'ex'+'rating'='exrating'
'exrating' placed around 'one' is 'EXONERATING'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for exonerating that I've seen before include "Acquitting" , "Clearing of blame" .)