Bears are in two groups turning northward (9)

I believe the answer is:

tolerates

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'bears' is the definition.
('tolerate' can be a synonym of 'bear')

'in two groups turning northward' is the wordplay.
'two groups' means two substitutions for 'group'.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'group' becomes 'set' (both can mean a collection).
'group' becomes 'lot'.
'turning' becomes 'are' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'northward' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (in a down clue, letters go up or 'north').
'set'+'lot'='setlot'
'setlot' placed around 'are' is 'setarelot'.
'setarelot' in reverse letter order is 'TOLERATES'.

'are' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tolerates that I've seen before include "Bears" , "Accepts" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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