Crossword Genius

Lines representing reality outside without using metaphor (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

literally

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'without using metaphor' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'lines representing reality outside' is the wordplay.
'lines' becomes 'll' (two abbreviations for line).
'representing' indicates anagramming the letters (letters must be re-presented in a new way).
'outside' indicates putting letters inside (some letters go outside others).
'reality' anagrammed gives 'literay'.
'll' going inside 'literay' is 'LITERALLY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for literally that I've seen before include "Actually, really" , "Verbatim" , "Absolutely" , "Without exaggeration" , "According to the precise meaning of words" .)

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