Formally renouncing sailor and detective acting strangely? (10)

I believe the answer is:

abdicating

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'formally renouncing' is the definition.
'abdicating' can be an answer for 'renouncing' (abdicating is a kind of renouncing). I am not sure about the 'formally' bit.

'sailor and detective acting strangely?' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'detective' becomes 'di' (Detective Inspector abbreviation).
'strangely?' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen 'strangely' mean this).
'acting' anagrammed gives 'cating'.
'ab'+'di'+'cating'='ABDICATING'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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