Lean in a certain manner? Not us, unusually (4)

I believe the answer is:

rely

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'lean' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rely that I've seen before include "Trust, depend" , "Depend confidently (on)" , "Run and see" , "Old rally" , "Depend (upon)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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