Crossword Genius

Philosophical character lying in grass (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

resigned

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'philosophical' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'character lying in grass' is the wordplay.
'character lying' becomes 'sign' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'grass' becomes 'reed' (I've seen this before).
'sign' inserted inside 'reed' is 'RESIGNED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for resigned that I've seen before include "Gave up office" , "Voluntarily stood down" , "quietly submissive" , "without complaining" , "Gave up (a post)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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