Crossword Genius

Ooze out about a litre without being always active (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sleepless

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'always active' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'ooze out about a litre without' is the wordplay.
'ooze out' becomes 'seep' (I've seen this before).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'a litre' becomes 'L' (abbreviation).
'without' becomes 'less' (I've seen this in another clue).
'seep' going around 'l' is 'sleep'.
'sleep'+'less'='SLEEPLESS'

'being' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sleepless that I've seen before include "Suffering from insomnia, not in the land of Nod" , "Insomniac" , "Film: '-- in Seattle'" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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