def remove_reference(type_):
    """removes reference from the type definition

    If type is not reference type, it will be returned as is.
    """
    nake_type = remove_alias(type_)
    if not is_reference(nake_type):
        return type_

    return nake_type.base
removes reference from the type definition

    If type is not reference type, it will be returned as is.