Wild bear I let out (8)

I believe the answer is:

liberate

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'out' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I can't see how one could define the other.

'wild bear i let' is the wordplay.
'wild' is an anagram indicator.
'bear'+'i'+'let'='bearilet'
'bearilet' is an anagram of 'LIBERATE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for liberate that I've seen before include "Set free, release from slavery" , "Set free, emancipate" , "Set free, rescue from bondage" , "Set free, as from oppressive authority" , "let go" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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