Crossword Genius

Bear in the wild to become dormant (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hibernate

'become dormant' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bear in the wild' is the wordplay.
'wild' is an anagram indicator.
'bear'+'in'+'the'='bearinthe'
'bearinthe' with letters rearranged gives 'HIBERNATE'.

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for hibernate that I've seen before include "remain inactive for months" , "go out in the snow?" , "Breathe in for long winter sleep" , "go dormant" , "Breathe in to settle down for winter sleep" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app