It flies drunkenly near a pole (9)

I believe the answer is:

aeroplane

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'it flies' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'drunkenly near a pole' is the wordplay.
'drunkenly' is an anagram indicator.
'near'+'a'+'pole'='nearapole'
'nearapole' is an anagram of 'AEROPLANE'.

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(Other definitions for aeroplane that I've seen before include "Flying vehicle" , "Flier" , "What taxis" , "Flying machine" , "Eg, jumbo jet" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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