A bent bearing (8)
![Ross](/clue/static/ross-mug.min.png)
I believe the answer is:
tendency
I believe this is a double definition.
'a bent' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)
'bearing' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)
(Other definitions for tendency that I've seen before include "'Inclination, disposition (8)'" , "Predisposition" , "Likelihood - inclination" , "movement" , "'Inclination, propensity (8)'" .)