They can be mended at various rates (5)
I believe the answer is:
tears
'they can be mended' is the definition.
The definition suggests an adverb but the answer is not.
'various rates' is the wordplay.
'various' indicates anagramming the letters.
'rates' is an anagram of 'TEARS'.
'at' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tears that I've seen before include "Lacerations (before bedtime?)" , "See 12" , "Rents" , "Rends" , "Shed them and cry" .)