Crossword Genius

Abandon bear around river (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

strand

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'abandon' is the definition.
(I know that strand is a kind of abandon)

'bear around river' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'river' could be 'r' (abbreviation) and 'r' is found in the answer.
'bear' could be 'stand' (bear can mean to stand or endure) and 'stand' is found in the remaining letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for strand that I've seen before include "Run aground, beach" , "Thread - abandon" , "Leave in helpless position" , "Drive aground on shore" , "Maroon - filament" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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