Disadvantage of ward, literally (8)
I believe the answer is:
drawback
'disadvantage' is the definition.
(drawback is a kind of disadvantage)
'of ward literally' is the wordplay.
'of' is an anagram indicator (the answer comes from or \'of\' the letters).
'literally' becomes 'back' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'ward' anagrammed gives 'draw'.
'draw'+'back'='DRAWBACK'
(Other definitions for drawback that I've seen before include "Obstacle" , "Limitation, disadvantage" , "Hindrance - retreat" , "Snag" , "Catch" .)