Crossword Genius

Story almost - almost - without digressions? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

linearly

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'without digressions?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'story almost almost' is the wordplay.
'story' becomes 'lie' (story can mean a fabrication).
'almost' means to remove the last letter (most of the word but not all of it).
'almost' becomes 'nearly' (synonyms).
'lie' with its final letter removed is 'li'.
'li'+'nearly'='LINEARLY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for linearly that I've seen before include "In a straight line" , "in elongated mode" , "in sequence" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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