The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word SHELF
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
H
E
L
F
More clues leading to the result SHELF
- Little chap following pipe down sandbank
- Quiet little creature is a supporter of books?
- Flesh going off in storage space
- Book-keeper making flesh creep
- One supporting quiet little chap Santa employs
- Most of Pluto’s place in sci-fi books may be seen here
- Woman left with frequency might be on it?
- Author’s written about 13 on which 6 may be left
- . Will the writer – asks Connery – store books here?
- Book location of quiet pixie the woman let fly at first
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "may have to bear many things" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case may have to bear many things = shelf.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SHELF mean?
SHELF noun- A flat, rigid structure, fixed at right angles to a wall or forming a part of a cabinet, desk etc., and used to support, store or display objects.
- The capacity of such an object
- A projecting ledge that resembles such an object.
- A reef, shoal or sandbar.