Like an owlish lion? (5)

I believe the answer is:

tawny

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'like' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tawny that I've seen before include "Brownish-yellow" , "Orange-brown in colour" , "port" , "Yellowish-brown - kind of owl" , "Golden brown" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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