Crossword Genius

Here in Rome, Kay sounded like a provincial? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hick

'a provincial?' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'here in rome kay sounded' is the wordplay.
'here in rome' becomes 'hic' ('here' in Latin).
'sounded' shows a homophone (sound like).
'kay' is a homophone of 'k'.
'hic'+'k'='HICK'

'like' is the link.

(Other definitions for hick that I've seen before include "Bumpkin" , "Yokel (American)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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