0xharib/xword1 · Datasets at Hugging Face

instruction stringclasses 1 value	input stringlengths 16 143	output stringlengths 40 1.17k
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Pull out of accompanying minor the wrong way (8)	### Answer: WITHDRAW ### Explanation: Definition: Pull out WITH(accompanying) plus reversal of(the wrong way) WARD(a minor,person who is underage, and under the guardianship of an adult)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Strip for one who puts on clothes? (6)	### Answer: GARTER ### Explanation: Definition: Strip I think it's a cryptic defn. A band,strip, usually elastic, for a person to use when he/she puts on his/her clothes; the item could be for securing socks, nylon stockings or shirt sleeves. A nicely thought paradox of a clue. Edit. note: Per comments 1-3 below, in spite of the mental aerobics, it looks like I thought wrong. It's a straight double defn. not a cryptic one: GIRDER. Thanks Stuart and Thomas99.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Slug in batter left as replacement for food initially (6)	### Answer: BULLET ### Explanation: Definition: Slug Verb, "buffet",batter,hit with blows with the letter "l",left as replacement for the letter "f",first letter,initially of "food" – to fit, both "f"s are replaced, though not explicitly stated, cf. 1A Defn: Slang for the projectile part of the bullet, that can be found in or out of the target.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Stag party is unending after taking heroin (4)	### Answer: HART ### Explanation: Definition: Stag ART("party" without "p" & "y" its front & back end letters,unending) placed after(after) H(slang for $$h$$eroin)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Lounge without any right until now (4)	### Answer: SOFA ### Explanation: Definition: Lounge "So far",until now without "r",$$r$$ight. Defn: The noun "lounge" for a reclining sofa. I'm more used to "lounge chair" or "lounger", but "lounge" is also correct.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Forlorn dig at restructuring in bank area (7,5)	### Answer: TRADING FLOOR ### Explanation: Definition: bank area Anagram of(restructuring) FORLORN DIG AT
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: During bombardment sort out required for risk-tolerant practice in 1 across (5,7)	### Answer: SHORT SELLING ### Explanation: Definition: risk-tolerant practice in 1 across SHELLING(bombardment) containing(during) anagram of(out) SORT Defn: The practice of selling shares, commodities, currencies, and other financial instruments that you don't have/own at that moment. More risk-taking than risk-tolerant I (an almost illiterate in financial matters) would have thought.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Make provision where member has died (9)	### Answer: LEGISLATE ### Explanation: Definition: Make provision LEG(one's limb,member – not your MP, which is the other usual crossword reference) IS LATE(euphemism for "is dead","has died"). Nice surface of Parliament in action.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Financial specialist in e-business backed on film (9)	### Answer: ECONOMIST ### Explanation: Definition: Financial specialist E-CO(e-$$co$$mpany,e-business) plus reversal(backed) of ON plus MIST(something that causes haziness, which would be like a film over your eyes)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Invention inspired by an extraterrestrial (5)	### Answer: ALIEN ### Explanation: Definition: extraterrestrial LIE(a fabrication,invention) contained in(inhaled,inspired by) AN
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Ted with guitar shredding wins appreciation (9)	### Answer: GRATITUDE ### Explanation: Definition: appreciation Anagram of(shredding) [TED plus(with) GUITAR]
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Solution in tub for women kept by vampire-slayer? (9)	### Answer: BATHWATER ### Explanation: Definition: Solution in tub W($$w$$omen) contained in(kept by) BAT HATER{whimsical description of a vampire(bat)-slayer} Defn: I guess it's not just (tap)water in the bath tub, but a solution of added salts, and what else.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Muslim man has unsalted fish (5)	### Answer: HABIB ### Explanation: Definition: Muslim man HA("has" without,un-…-ed "s",salt – look no further than the salt and pepper shakers on your dining table) BIB(aka pouting, pout, pout whitling, a food fish of the cod family) Defn: An Arabic,Muslim name for a man, meaning "beloved".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Go over main points for military policeman lacking in depth (5)	### Answer: RECAP ### Explanation: Definition: Go over main points "Redcap"(military policeman, named after his headwear) minus(lacking in) "d"($$d$$epth, as seen in eg. measurements of furniture items – refer the IKEA catalogue)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Swapping of partners in group involves drugs and is severe (9)	### Answer: SWINGEING ### Explanation: Definition: is severe SWINGING(euphemism for wife-swapping,partner swapping – "in a group" seems superfluous, since such activity must involve 2 or more pairs, or am I missing something?) containing(involves) E(abbrev. for the drug $$E$$cstasy – I guess the plural "drugs" and not the singular is for the surface) Defn: British dialect for punishing,severe derived from Old/Middle English word for shake,smite,swing,blow
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Part for Sean Astin essential in Malevolence (9)	### Answer: NASTINESS ### Explanation: Definition: Malevolence Hidden in(part) seaN ASTIN ESSential
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Daughter to Frederick and first to Charles Lamb (5)	### Answer: CELIA ### Explanation: Definition: Daughter to Frederick C(initial letter of,first to Charles) ELIA(pen name used by Charles Lamb) Defn: Daughter of,to Duke Frederick in Shakespeare's "As You Like It"
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Hesitant relative is out with disreputable lawyer (7)	### Answer: SHYSTER ### Explanation: Definition: disreputable lawyer SHY(hesitant,reserved) STER{"sister",a relative minus(out) "is"} Defn: An Americanism for a lawyer who uses unscrupulous,unethical,questionable methods. Probably derived from the German "scheiss", equivalent to the English "s**t". Kin of the ambulance chaser.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Commotion during offence hard to understand (7)	### Answer: SHINDIG ### Explanation: Definition: Commotion SIN(wrongdoing,offence) containing(during) H($$h$$ard) plus DIG(to understand,appreciate as in "I dig modern art" – "Really?")
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Die long time after the Hardy girl (7)	### Answer: TESSERA ### Explanation: Definition: Die ERA(a long time period) placed after(after) TESS(the girl, heroine, in English writer, Thomas Hardy's novel, Tess of the d'Urbervilles) Defn: A die (singular),a small piece of bone or wood used in classical times as a token, or counter.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Defender god denied one of two students essential meaning (9)	### Answer: APOLOGIST ### Explanation: Definition: Defender APOLO{the god "Apollo" minus(denied) "l",one of two students,$$l$$earners} GIST(essential meaning as in "the gist of his message can be summarised in 2 words")
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Some mountain troops opening passage (5)	### Answer: INTRO ### Explanation: Definition: opening passage Hidden in(some) mountaIN TROops
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Writer with books seen in expensive bar (4,5)	### Answer: GOLD INGOT ### Explanation: Definition: expensive bar GOLDING(William, 1911-1993, Nobel laureate and writer best known for "The Lord of the Flies", and was the theme of a recent crossword) OT(the Old Testament,the collection of books making up the first part of the Bible). A nice misdirection in the definition.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Looking for a great deal (5)	### Answer: SIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: Looking,great deal Double defn. 1st: The noun; and 2nd: A lot,by far,a great deal – Sydney Carton might have said (or Dickens might have written), less poetically, "It's a darn sight better thing that I do …"
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: See less reason to trust of late his creation (4,5)	### Answer: LOSE FAITH ### Explanation: Definition: See less reason to trust Anagram of(creation) OF LATE HIS
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Old school one for regression and subconscious view (5)	### Answer: IMAGO ### Explanation: Definition: subconscious view Reversal of(for regression) O($$o$$ld) GAM(a school,herd of whales) I(one=1=I) Defn: In psychoanalytical jargon, the idealised concept,view of a loved one formed in childhood and carried unaltered in the subconscious mind into adult life
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Happiness all around for Ron dancing in Clare's town (7)	### Answer: GLENROE ### Explanation: Definition: Clare's town GLEE(happiness) containing(all around for) anagram of(dancing) RON Defn: Town in Clare County, Ireland
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: FT for example on this recent run (9)	### Answer: NEWSPRINT ### Explanation: Definition: FT for example on this NEW(recent) SPRINT(a fast run) Defn: This specialty material on which the dead tree version of newspapers, for example, the Financial Times appears. A matter of time before it becomes obsolete like parchment?
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: High-level clashes avoided where song does not make chart (3-6)	### Answer: AIR-MISSES ### Explanation: Definition: High-level clashes avoided AIR(song) MISSES(descriptive of a song that does not enter,make the popularity charts, or it's a hit, according to the jury – ) Defn: When aircraft nearly collide – anything closer than a quarter-mile apart is a near-miss.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Fully and freely expressed in Dublin with Red Rum (9)	### Answer: UNBRIDLED ### Explanation: Definition: Fully and freely expressed Anagram of(rum) [DUBLIN plus(with) RED]
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Graduate calls bank that failed (7)	### Answer: BARINGS ### Explanation: Definition: bank that failed BA($$B$$achelor of $$A$$rts graduate) RINGS(calls on the phone) Defn: Oldest merchant bank in London, bankrupted in 1995 through the dealings of its Rogue Trader Nick Leeson.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Universal beginning and end for 1 across 12 (3,4)	### Answer: BIG BANG ### Explanation: Definition: Universal beginning,end for 1 across 12 Double defn: 1st: Start,beginning of the universe about 14 billion years ago; and 2nd: End of a lot of regulations (ie. deregulation) in the London financial industry, symbolised by 1 across 12 "trading floor" a mere 25 years ago, a Thatcherite reform
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Comfortable with such nonsense, the end for Lansley (5)	### Answer: CUSHY ### Explanation: Definition: Comfortable Anagram of(nonsense) SUCH placed before Y(last letter of,the end for "Lansley" – a reference to the current UK Health Secretary)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Fine cut for the commentator (5)	### Answer: SHEER ### Explanation: Definition: Fine Homophone of(for the commentator) "shear",cut,clip. A cricketing commentary?
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Giving us classic couture, innovator leads as designer (5)	### Answer: GUCCI ### Explanation: Definition: designer Initial letters,leads of Giving Us Classic Couture Innovator. Nice &lit
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Dessert country, say, with considerable dosage of sugar (5,9)	### Answer: SWEET CHAMPAGNE ### Explanation: Definition: with considerable dosage of sugar SWEET(dessert course) plus CHAMPAGNE{homophone of(say) "champaign",open country} Answer: A type of champagne, in contrast to dry, whose production involves adding dosage, a sugar-in-wine solution.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Maybe prepare to roast, having bipolar disorder (7)	### Answer: PARBOIL ### Explanation: Definition: Maybe prepare to roast Anagram of(disorder) BIPOLAR Answer: Precook by boiling partially or for a short time, perhaps before roasting
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Credit more frequently given to smallholder (7)	### Answer: CROFTER ### Explanation: Definition: smallholder CR(abbrev. for $$cr$$edit, as opposed to "dr",debit, in double-entry accounting) OFTER(the obsolete? comparative, oft = frequently, ofter = more frequently) Answer: One who owns or rents a small patch of land to farm or grow crops and vegetables.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: It's not nice to be harsh (5)	### Answer: ROUGH ### Explanation: Definition: It's not nice,harsh Double defn: 1st: From nice = exact, as in "it fits nicely", and not nice = approximate, as in "a rough calculation"; 2nd: Sharp,coarse,harsh as in "a rough temper", or grating or unpleasant as in "sounds that are rough to the ears"
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Tails twisted in marker between land and sea (9)	### Answer: COASTLINE ### Explanation: Definition: between land and sea Anagram of(twisted) TAILS contained in(in) CONE(marker of that shape used eg. on roads, playing fields.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: I believe about 80% of confrontation is getting louder (9)	### Answer: CRESCENDO ### Explanation: Definition: getting louder CREDO(what I believe in) containing(about) SCEN(4 out of 5,80% of letters of "scene",confrontation in public, eg. created by little children versus their parents)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: How Brer Fox lay? Leave after him? (5)	### Answer: DOGGO ### Explanation: Definition: How Brer Fox lay GO(leave) placed after(after) DOG(him,Brer Fox,a member of the zoological family Canidae, whose members are called dogs – a male fox is also called a dog fox) Defn/Answer: Hide as Brer (brother) Fox of the Uncle Remus folk-tales was prone to do in order to trick his antagonist, Brer Rabbit
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Is a girl a boy or a girl? (5)	### Answer: ISSUE ### Explanation: Definition: a boy or a girl IS plus SUE(name of a girl) Answer: Biological issue, children who may be boys or girls
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: A lot of money made as evidence of being well protected (9)	### Answer: BOMBPROOF ### Explanation: Definition: well protected BOMB(slang for a lot of money, as in "that bauble cost me a bomb") plus PROOF(evidence)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Killer's mistake is to interrupt races (9)	### Answer: TERRORIST ### Explanation: Definition: Killer [ERROR(mistake) IS] contained in(to interrupt) TT($$T$$ourist $$T$$rophy, the motorcycle races run annually in the Isle of Man)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Fashionable firm appearing finally disguised (5)	### Answer: INCOG ### Explanation: Definition: disguised IN(fashionable, as in "the in-crowd") CO(abbrev. for $$co$$mpany,firm) G(last letter,finally of "appearing") Answer: Short for incognito,in disguise.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: One in charge of unfinished new picture may be laid on pillow (7)	### Answer: OCCIPUT ### Explanation: Definition: may be laid on pillow OC($$O$$fficer $$C$$ommanding,one in charge) plus anagram of(new) PICTU("picture" without last 2 letters,unfinished – an Araucarian liberty, which some might frown upon, afraid of the slippery slope it might lead to?) Answer: The back part of the head which is laid on a pillow.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: These days a French lover is very hard (7)	### Answer: ADAMANT ### Explanation: Definition: very hard AD($$a$$nno $$D$$omini,the present era,these days) AMANT("lover" in French)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Mutton dressed as lamb? That's Prince Charles (5,9)	### Answer: YOUNG PRETENDER ### Explanation: Definition: That's Prince Charles Cryptic defn. The idiomatic description is, usually disparagingly, used to describe an aging woman (a figurative comparison to mutton from an old sheep) dressed, and hence trying to pass off,pretending to be, young (a comparison to a young lamb). Me, I don't think that anything disparaging can or should be said about those who can pull it off, certainly not the examples below. Found this extract from a 1911 social gossip journal involving another prince: "Some one the other day asked the Prince of Wales at the Ancient Music whether he did not think some girl pretty. 'Girl!' answered he, 'Girls are not to my taste. I don't like lamb; but mutton dressed like lamb!'." The answer refers not to the current English prince, but Charles Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie, of "The Skye Boat Song" fame. He was the "Young Pretender" to the English throne, to distinguish him from his father, who was also a pretender to the throne.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Byline pictures prison riots (14)	### Answer: SUPERSCRIPTION ### Explanation: Definition: Byline Anagram of(riots) PICTURES PRISON Answer: A superscription is something that is written above some writing, and most commonly like so1. A byline is the line above, say, a newspaper article, on which is written/printed the author's name. One could stretch the meanings to be synonymous, I guess.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: euro demand on the way (2,5)	### Answer: EN ROUTE ### Explanation: Definition: on the way Anagram of(demand) TEN(10) EURO
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Trouble ahead – also hot during growth ahead (9)	### Answer: TOOTHACHE ### Explanation: Definition: Trouble ahead TOO(also) plus {H($$h$$ot, as displayed on your hot/cold water taps) contained in(during) TACHE(short for moustache,the growth on head,ahead,an Araucarian liberty?)} Answer: A problem,trouble in the head,ahead – same usage as in the wordplay, but in a different part of the head.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Man left picture on mount for inspiration (7)	### Answer: HELICON ### Explanation: Definition: mount for inspiration HE(pronoun for man) L($$l$$eft) ICON(picture,representation usually of a sacred or sanctified Christian personage, but in modern usage, more often those little pictorial symbols on your computer screen) Answer: The mountain in Greece, which, in Greek mythology stood for poetic inspiration
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Turn African country into old Palestinian one — not hot during excursion in play (4,3,5,7)	### Answer: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING ### Explanation: Definition: play {U($$U$$–turn) CHAD(an African country)} contained in(into) MOAB(old Biblical Palestinian one,country) plus {[NOT H($$h$$ot)] contained in(during) OUTING(excursion)} Answer: Shakespearean play, an answer obtained from the definition and enumeration, short-circuiting the intricate wordplay.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: One man's 20 is another man's style raised loudly in cargo carrier (7,7)	### Answer: FREEDOM FIGHTER ### Explanation: Definition: One man's 20 is another man Reversal of(raised, in a down clue) MODE(style,fashion) plus F($$f$$orte,musical instruction to play loudly,with force) contained in(in) FREIGHTER(cargo carrier, originally a ship, but now could be an aircraft, or even a freight train) Answer: Another one obtained by bypassing the intricate wordplay. The full quote, "One man's terrorist (answer to 20A) is another man's freedom fighter" is attributed, as far as I can gather, to English writer Gerald Seymour from his 1975 novel, Harry's Game.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Copy cat in romance after afters return (9)	### Answer: DUPLICATE ### Explanation: Definition: Copy CAT contained in(in) LIE(a romance,fanciful thing) placed after(after) reversal of(return) PUD(short for pudding,dessert,afters, after the main course of a meal)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Wind nothing like this before capturing leg-endary (sic) bird (7)	### Answer: SIROCCO ### Explanation: Definition: Wind {SIC(as such,like this,before any correction/amendment, see above line) placed before(before) O(=0=zero=nothing)} containing(capturing) ROC(legendary bird, like the one which carried Sinbad the Sailor) Answer: A hot dry dusty wind blowing from northern Africa into southern Europe
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Report of beak on beast with horns where speed limit is likely (5,2)	### Answer: BUILT UP ### Explanation: Definition: where speed limit is likely BUIL{Homophone of(report of) "bill",a bird's beak) placed before(on, in a down clue) TUP(a male sheep,ram,beast with horns) Answer: Part (or all) of a town/city which is congested with buildings and people and where, for safety, a speed limit is likely to be in force.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Gas found by setter around Frome (7)	### Answer: METHANE ### Explanation: Definition: Gas ME(refering to the setter) containing(around) ETHAN(the novel Ethan Frome by American author Edith Wharton) Answer: The simplest hydrocarbon CH4, a colourless odourless inflammable gas
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Picking scene where killer gets tough? (7)	### Answer: ORCHARD ### Explanation: Definition: Picking scene ORC(the killer whale or one of J.R.R Tolkien's killer ogres) *plus*(gets) HARD(tough as nails) Defn: Cryptic description of where one can be seen picking fruits
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Some portraits by writer, an artist (5)	### Answer: ORPEN ### Explanation: Definition: artist OR(2,some letters from "portrait" – a liberty similar to 23A) plus(by) PEN(writer,something used for writing) Answer: Irish painter,artist William Newenham Montague (1878-1931)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Alienate corrupt sergeant (8)	### Answer: ESTRANGE ### Explanation: Definition: Alienate Anagram of(corrupt) SERGEANT
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Worship, hoping to drown such music? (3,3)	### Answer: HIP HOP ### Explanation: Definition: such music Hidden in(to drown) worsHIP HOPing Answer: Aka rap music
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Primate hard at work catching hard black sailor (8)	### Answer: BUSHBABY ### Explanation: Definition: Primate BUSY(hard at work) containing(catching) [H($$h$$ard) B($$b$$lack) AB($$a$$ble-$$b$$odied seaman,sailor)] Answer: Nocturnal (which explains their large eyes and ears) arboreal primate found in Africa south of the Sahara
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Animal claiming a right to be more treasured (6)	### Answer: DEARER ### Explanation: Definition: more treasured DEER(animal) containing(claiming) [A R($$r$$ight)]
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: That girl meeting the Queen is thin (5)	### Answer: SHEER ### Explanation: Definition: thin SHE(pronoun for "that girl") plus(meeting) ER($$E$$lizabeth $$R$$egina,the Queen)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Not most knowledgeable, however (9)	### Answer: LEASTWISE ### Explanation: Definition: however LEAST(not most, as an understatement of the littlest) WISE(in the sense of "being wise to",have knowledge of,knowledgeable, and not necessarily having wisdom) Answer: I found it quite difficult to illustrate the sense in which the answer and defn. could be used inter-changeably. This is the best I can do: "We have not yet won; however/leastwise, we shall keep on trying." The meaning is "at any rate", "in spite of that"
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Deal with worrying satanic plant (12)	### Answer: TRADESCANTIA ### Explanation: Definition: plant TRADE(deal with,transact) plus(with) anagram of(worrying) SATANIC Answer: Given by wordplay/checking letters, a new word for me, meaning the genus of widely cultivated (and familiar) (house)plants with striped variegated leaves, aka spiderworts, and including the "wandering Jew".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Chief to tease Greer struggling with piece of kitchen equipment (6,6)	### Answer: CHEESE GRATER ### Explanation: Definition: piece of kitchen equipment CH($$ch$$ief) plus(to) anagram of(struggling) TEASE GREER. Ironic surface of the feminist Germaine in the kitchen, the very place that symbolises the inequality of the sexes.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Charge for a water pipe by branch of a river in Australia (9)	### Answer: BILLABONG ### Explanation: Definition: branch of a river in Australia BILL(noun or verb, of charge,invoice) plus(for) A BONG(a type of water pipe, like a hookah, for smoking drugs, especially marijuana) Answer: A stretch of water, like a creek, where you might meet the ghost of a jolly swagman.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Journey to get last bit of ungulate's offal (5)	### Answer: TRIPE ### Explanation: Definition: offal TRIP(journey) plus(to get) E(last letter,bit of "ungulate")
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Novelist, say, taking gold for "God" (6)	### Answer: AUTHOR ### Explanation: Definition: Novelist AU(from Latin, $$au$$rum, symbol for the element, gold, in chemistry) plus(for) THOR(hammer-wielding Scandinavian god of thunder – and rain and farming)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: German government put in control after street fight (8)	### Answer: STRUGGLE ### Explanation: Definition: fight {G($$G$$erman) G($$g$$overnment) contained in(put in) RULE(control,reign)} placed after(after) ST($$st$$reet)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Bash against Director General and setter, reversing in small electric car (6)	### Answer: DODGEM ### Explanation: Definition: small electric car DO(a function like 26 Nov in Derby,party,bash) plus(against) DG($$D$$irector $$G$$eneral) plus(and) reversal of(reversing) ME(pronoun for the setter of this crossword)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Skint and embarrassed, traded in goods for commission (8)	### Answer: BROKERED ### Explanation: Definition: traded in goods for commission BROKE(having no money,skint) RED(colour of one's face when embarrassed) Answer: Not strictly trading, but more facilitating trade in goods, by getting together buyers and sellers and receiving a commission for one's efforts.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Proudly raise letter to gaffer (6)	### Answer: EMBOSS ### Explanation: Definition: Proudly raise EM(the letter "m") BOSS(the foreman or overseer, especially of a gang of manual labourers refered to as the "gaffer" – the word was originally a contraction of "godfather", which word is now also synonymous with a "boss" in the underworld) Answer: "Proudly" could be here to lend emphasis, as "proud" as an adjective already means projecting or protruding above the surrounding area, ie. raised. Otherwise, there are two (one too many?) defining words here.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Check tip of electrode on top of sperm-producing glands (6)	### Answer: TESTES ### Explanation: Definition: sperm-producing glands TEST(check,to confirm or explore) E(first, or last letter,tip of "electrode) placed before(on) S(first letter,top of "sperm" – the word doing double duty in wordplay and defn). I don't know what to make of the surface – some form of sterilisation procedure? 🙂 Answer: The glands in your family jewels.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Sperm whales' innards may contain this novelist pierced by ice floating in sea and river (9)	### Answer: AMBERGRIS ### Explanation: Definition: Sperm whales' innards may contain this AMIS(novelist Kingsley or son Martin) containing(pierced by) [BERG(ice floating in sea) R($$r$$iver)] Answer: Secretion from the sperm whales' intestine,innards . After aging, it becomes hard and marbled grey, hence it name from Latin for grey amber. It also turns from being foul-smelling to something that is used in perfumery.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Go to get bishop, English bloke and god confused by unintelligible jargon (12)	### Answer: GOBBLEDEGOOK ### Explanation: Definition: unintelligible jargon GO plus(to get) B($$b$$ishop, as in chess notation) anagram of(confused) [E($$E$$nglish) BLOKE + GOD]
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Disinclined to act in liner tragedy (5)	### Answer: INERT ### Explanation: Definition: Disinclined to act Hidden in(in) lINER Tragedy
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Musicians' rare piano is covered by tiles (8)	### Answer: HARPISTS ### Explanation: Definition: Musicians [R(abbrev. for rare, what the waiter writes to indicate how your steak is to be done) P($$p$$iano, musical instruction) IS] contained in(covered by) HATS(high silk hats,tiles)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Man pares freshly made cheese (8)	### Answer: PARMESAN ### Explanation: Definition: cheese Anagram of(freshly made) MAN PARES Answer: Trademarked name for the type of cheese produced in a specified area in Italy (including that around Parma), under the control of an authorised agency. What you get on your table at Pizza Hut is probably not it.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Charge for chap's expression of amusement? (12)	### Answer: MANSLAUGHTER ### Explanation: Definition: Charge MAN'S(chap's) LAUGHTER(expression of amusement) Answer: An example,? of the charge that one might face in a court of law.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Gobsmacked to get a point before rugby free-for-all (9)	### Answer: AWESTRUCK ### Explanation: Definition: Gobsmacked A WEST(compass point) plus(before) RUCK(the free-for-all in rugby where players form a scrum over the ball when it is on the ground, each team trying to win it, and pushing back their opponents.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Sheath for poet following evidence of the pox? (8)	### Answer: SCABBARD ### Explanation: Definition: Sheath BARD(poet, eg. Shakespeare) placed after(following) SCAB(encrustation over a healing pustule,evidence of having suffered a disease like smallpox or chickenpox, or even worse). The poet should have been advised that wearing a sheath in the first place would have prevented the pox.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Collapsed prostrate during action (8)	### Answer: DEFLATED ### Explanation: Definition: Collapsed FLAT(as in flat on the ground,prostrate) contained in(during) DEED(an act, or action). Is there something here about inflatable dolls and action?
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Hang about in ladies' underwear that is not visible (6)	### Answer: LINGER ### Explanation: Definition: Hang about "Lingerie",ladies' underwear minus(not visible) "ie",that is,id est. Amusing image of a closet cross-dresser.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Fed up with death in shelter (6)	### Answer: DEFEND ### Explanation: Definition: shelter Reversal of(up, in a down clue) FED plus(with) END(the end,death)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Make amends an hour after midnight (5)	### Answer: ATONE ### Explanation: Definition: Make amends AT ONE a.m.(the time an hour after midnight). Better late than never?
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Horrific house tool (6)	### Answer: HAMMER ### Explanation: Definition: Horrific house,tool Double defn: 1st: Hammer Film Productions is a UK production company,house which is best known for making ground-breaking horrific movies in the late 50s, a genre known as "Hammer Horror" – such as a "Frankenstein" series – The Curse of, The Revenge of, The Evil of, – you get the picture, and a "Dracula" series. Answer: Also Mike Hammer, PI created by American author Mickey Spillane
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Soldier that would take flight (6)	### Answer: ARCHER ### Explanation: Definition: Soldier that would take flight Cryptic defn: An old-time soldier with a long and light arrow,flight designed for long-distance shooting Answer: Also, Lew Archer, created by American Ross McDonald
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: I led Orange Revolution in historical period (4,3)	### Answer: IRON AGE ### Explanation: Definition: historical period I placed before(led) anagram of(Revolution) ORANGE
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Seasons mess mixed with rum (7)	### Answer: SUMMERS ### Explanation: Definition: Seasons Anagram of(mixed with) [MESS + RUM] Answer: Also, I think, but I may be totally wrong, the last of the 11s. Found real-life ones with that name, but only a fictional one .
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: See preamble (7,3)	### Answer: PRIVATE EYE ### Explanation: The satirical magazine celebrates its 50th birthday today. The answer, in a different sense, is an alternative defn. of 10 other solutions.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Towering installation (4)	### Answer: TALL ### Explanation: Hidden in**(in) sTALLation – a tricky, splitting device.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Get the better of church shrink (5)	### Answer: WINCE ### Explanation: Definition: shrink WIN(get the better of,beat) CE($$C$$hurch of $$E$$ngland)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Wheat product reportedly grown in Sussex (3,5)	### Answer: RYE BREAD ### Explanation: Definition: Wheat product Homophone of(reportedly) {"rye"(a resort town in East Sussex) hyphenated with "bred"(past tense of breed,grown)}
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: State artist is 4's supplier (8)	### Answer: FLETCHER ### Explanation: Definition: 4's supplier FL(abbrev. for US state Florida, used in postal codes) ETCHER(an artist making designs or pictures by etching metal, glass, etc. with acid) Answer: One who makes,a supplier of arrows for ARCHER(answer to 4A). Also, Jessica Fletcher, amateur detective in American TV series, Murder She Wrote
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Does this suit a gardener's needs? (5)	### Answer: SPADE ### Explanation: Definition: Does this suit a gardener's needs? Cryptic defn. of a gardener's tool which, in the plural, is also a suit in a deck of playing cards. Answer: Also, Sam Spade, tough guy detective, created by American Dashiell Hammett.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Computers returned in swindle (4)	### Answer: SCAM ### Explanation: Definition: swindle Reversal of(returned) MACS(short form for Mackintoshes, Apple computers)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Pull out of accompanying minor the wrong way (8)

### Answer: WITHDRAW ### Explanation: Definition: Pull out WITH(accompanying) **plus** **reversal of**(the wrong way) WARD(a minor,person who is underage, and under the guardianship of an adult)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Strip for one who puts on clothes? (6)

### Answer: GARTER ### Explanation: Definition: Strip I think it's a cryptic defn. A band,strip, usually elastic, for a person to use when he/she puts on his/her clothes; the item could be for securing socks, nylon stockings or shirt sleeves. A nicely thought paradox of a clue. Edit. note: Per comments 1-3 below, in spite of the mental aerobics, it looks like I thought wrong. It's a straight double defn. not a cryptic one: GIRDER. Thanks Stuart and Thomas99.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Slug in batter left as replacement for food initially (6)

### Answer: BULLET ### Explanation: Definition: Slug Verb, "buffet",batter,hit with blows with the letter "l",left as replacement for the letter "f",first letter,initially of "food" – to fit, both "f"s are replaced, though not explicitly stated, cf. 1A Defn: Slang for the projectile part of the bullet, that can be found in or out of the target.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Stag party is unending after taking heroin (4)

### Answer: HART ### Explanation: Definition: Stag ART("party" without "p" & "y" its front & back end letters,unending) **placed after**(after) H(slang for $$h$$eroin)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Lounge without any right until now (4)

### Answer: SOFA ### Explanation: Definition: Lounge "So far",until now without "r",$$r$$ight. Defn: The noun "lounge" for a reclining sofa. I'm more used to "lounge chair" or "lounger", but "lounge" is also correct.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Forlorn dig at restructuring in bank area (7,5)

### Answer: TRADING FLOOR ### Explanation: Definition: bank area **Anagram of**(restructuring) FORLORN DIG AT

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: During bombardment sort out required for risk-tolerant practice in 1 across (5,7)

### Answer: SHORT SELLING ### Explanation: Definition: risk-tolerant practice in 1 across SHELLING(bombardment) **containing**(during) **anagram of**(out) SORT Defn: The practice of selling shares, commodities, currencies, and other financial instruments that you don't have/own at that moment. More risk-taking than risk-tolerant I (an almost illiterate in financial matters) would have thought.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Make provision where member has died (9)

### Answer: LEGISLATE ### Explanation: Definition: Make provision LEG(one's limb,member – not your MP, which is the other usual crossword reference) IS LATE(euphemism for "is dead","has died"). Nice surface of Parliament in action.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Financial specialist in e-business backed on film (9)

### Answer: ECONOMIST ### Explanation: Definition: Financial specialist E-CO(e-$$co$$mpany,e-business) **plus** reversal(backed) of ON **plus** MIST(something that causes haziness, which would be like a film over your eyes)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Invention inspired by an extraterrestrial (5)

### Answer: ALIEN ### Explanation: Definition: extraterrestrial LIE(a fabrication,invention) **contained in**(inhaled,inspired by) AN

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### Clue: Ted with guitar shredding wins appreciation (9)

### Answer: GRATITUDE ### Explanation: Definition: appreciation **Anagram of**(shredding) [TED **plus**(with) GUITAR]

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### Clue: Solution in tub for women kept by vampire-slayer? (9)

### Answer: BATHWATER ### Explanation: Definition: Solution in tub W($$w$$omen) **contained in**(kept by) BAT HATER{whimsical description of a vampire(bat)-slayer} Defn: I guess it's not just (tap)water in the bath tub, but a solution of added salts, and what else.

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### Clue: Muslim man has unsalted fish (5)

### Answer: HABIB ### Explanation: Definition: Muslim man HA("has" without,un-…-ed "s",salt – look no further than the salt and pepper shakers on your dining table) BIB(aka pouting, pout, pout whitling, a food fish of the cod family) Defn: An Arabic,Muslim name for a man, meaning "beloved".

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### Clue: Go over main points for military policeman lacking in depth (5)

### Answer: RECAP ### Explanation: Definition: Go over main points "Redcap"(military policeman, named after his headwear) **minus**(lacking in) "d"($$d$$epth, as seen in eg. measurements of furniture items – refer the IKEA catalogue)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Swapping of partners in group involves drugs and is severe (9)

### Answer: SWINGEING ### Explanation: Definition: is severe SWINGING(euphemism for wife-swapping,partner swapping – "in a group" seems superfluous, since such activity must involve 2 or more pairs, or am I missing something?) **containing**(involves) E(abbrev. for the drug $$E$$cstasy – I guess the plural "drugs" and not the singular is for the surface) Defn: British dialect for punishing,severe derived from Old/Middle English word for shake,smite,swing,blow

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### Clue: Part for Sean Astin essential in Malevolence (9)

### Answer: NASTINESS ### Explanation: Definition: Malevolence **Hidden in**(part) seaN ASTIN ESSential

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### Clue: Daughter to Frederick and first to Charles Lamb (5)

### Answer: CELIA ### Explanation: Definition: Daughter to Frederick C(initial letter of,first to Charles) ELIA(pen name used by Charles Lamb) Defn: Daughter of,to Duke Frederick in Shakespeare's "As You Like It"

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Hesitant relative is out with disreputable lawyer (7)

### Answer: SHYSTER ### Explanation: Definition: disreputable lawyer SHY(hesitant,reserved) STER{"sister",a relative **minus**(out) "is"} Defn: An Americanism for a lawyer who uses unscrupulous,unethical,questionable methods. Probably derived from the German "scheiss", equivalent to the English "s**t". Kin of the ambulance chaser.

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### Clue: Commotion during offence hard to understand (7)

### Answer: SHINDIG ### Explanation: Definition: Commotion SIN(wrongdoing,offence) **containing**(during) H($$h$$ard) **plus** DIG(to understand,appreciate as in "I dig modern art" – "Really?")

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Die long time after the Hardy girl (7)

### Answer: TESSERA ### Explanation: Definition: Die ERA(a long time period) **placed after**(after) TESS(the girl, heroine, in English writer, Thomas Hardy's novel, Tess of the d'Urbervilles) Defn: A die (singular),a small piece of bone or wood used in classical times as a token, or counter.

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### Clue: Defender god denied one of two students essential meaning (9)

### Answer: APOLOGIST ### Explanation: Definition: Defender APOLO{the god "Apollo" **minus**(denied) "l",one of two students,$$l$$earners} GIST(essential meaning as in "the gist of his message can be summarised in 2 words")

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Some mountain troops opening passage (5)

### Answer: INTRO ### Explanation: Definition: opening passage **Hidden in**(some) mountaIN TROops

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### Clue: Writer with books seen in expensive bar (4,5)

### Answer: GOLD INGOT ### Explanation: Definition: expensive bar GOLDING(William, 1911-1993, Nobel laureate and writer best known for "The Lord of the Flies", and was the theme of a recent crossword) OT(the Old Testament,the collection of books making up the first part of the Bible). A nice misdirection in the definition.

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### Clue: Looking for a great deal (5)

### Answer: SIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: Looking,great deal Double defn. 1st: The noun; and 2nd: A lot,by far,a great deal – Sydney Carton might have said (or Dickens might have written), less poetically, "It's a darn sight better thing that I do …"

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### Clue: See less reason to trust of late his creation (4,5)

### Answer: LOSE FAITH ### Explanation: Definition: See less reason to trust **Anagram of**(creation) OF LATE HIS

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### Clue: Old school one for regression and subconscious view (5)

### Answer: IMAGO ### Explanation: Definition: subconscious view **Reversal of**(for regression) O($$o$$ld) GAM(a school,herd of whales) I(one=1=I) Defn: In psychoanalytical jargon, the idealised concept,view of a loved one formed in childhood and carried unaltered in the subconscious mind into adult life

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### Clue: Happiness all around for Ron dancing in Clare's town (7)

### Answer: GLENROE ### Explanation: Definition: Clare's town GLEE(happiness) **containing**(all around for) **anagram of**(dancing) RON Defn: Town in Clare County, Ireland

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: FT for example on this recent run (9)

### Answer: NEWSPRINT ### Explanation: Definition: FT for example on this NEW(recent) SPRINT(a fast run) Defn: This specialty material on which the dead tree version of newspapers, for example, the Financial Times appears. A matter of time before it becomes obsolete like parchment?

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: High-level clashes avoided where song does not make chart (3-6)

### Answer: AIR-MISSES ### Explanation: Definition: High-level clashes avoided AIR(song) MISSES(descriptive of a song that does not enter,make the popularity charts, or it's a hit, according to the jury – ) Defn: When aircraft nearly collide – anything closer than a quarter-mile apart is a near-miss.

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### Clue: Fully and freely expressed in Dublin with Red Rum (9)

### Answer: UNBRIDLED ### Explanation: Definition: Fully and freely expressed **Anagram of**(rum) [DUBLIN **plus**(with) RED]

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### Clue: Graduate calls bank that failed (7)

### Answer: BARINGS ### Explanation: Definition: bank that failed BA($$B$$achelor of $$A$$rts graduate) RINGS(calls on the phone) Defn: Oldest merchant bank in London, bankrupted in 1995 through the dealings of its Rogue Trader Nick Leeson.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Universal beginning and end for 1 across 12 (3,4)

### Answer: BIG BANG ### Explanation: Definition: Universal beginning,end for 1 across 12 Double defn: 1st: Start,beginning of the universe about 14 billion years ago; and 2nd: End of a lot of regulations (ie. deregulation) in the London financial industry, symbolised by 1 across 12 "trading floor" a mere 25 years ago, a Thatcherite reform

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### Clue: Comfortable with such nonsense, the end for Lansley (5)

### Answer: CUSHY ### Explanation: Definition: Comfortable **Anagram of**(nonsense) SUCH **placed before** Y(last letter of,the end for "Lansley" – a reference to the current UK Health Secretary)

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### Clue: Fine cut for the commentator (5)

### Answer: SHEER ### Explanation: Definition: Fine **Homophone of**(for the commentator) "shear",cut,clip. A cricketing commentary?

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### Clue: Giving us classic couture, innovator leads as designer (5)

### Answer: GUCCI ### Explanation: Definition: designer Initial letters,leads of Giving Us Classic Couture Innovator. Nice &lit

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### Clue: Dessert country, say, with considerable dosage of sugar (5,9)

### Answer: SWEET CHAMPAGNE ### Explanation: Definition: with considerable dosage of sugar SWEET(dessert course) **plus** CHAMPAGNE{**homophone of**(say) "champaign",open country} Answer: A type of champagne, in contrast to dry, whose production involves adding dosage, a sugar-in-wine solution.

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### Clue: Maybe prepare to roast, having bipolar disorder (7)

### Answer: PARBOIL ### Explanation: Definition: Maybe prepare to roast **Anagram of**(disorder) BIPOLAR Answer: Precook by boiling partially or for a short time, perhaps before roasting

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Credit more frequently given to smallholder (7)

### Answer: CROFTER ### Explanation: Definition: smallholder CR(abbrev. for $$cr$$edit, as opposed to "dr",debit, in double-entry accounting) OFTER(the obsolete? comparative, oft = frequently, ofter = more frequently) Answer: One who owns or rents a small patch of land to farm or grow crops and vegetables.

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### Clue: It's not nice to be harsh (5)

### Answer: ROUGH ### Explanation: Definition: It's not nice,harsh Double defn: 1st: From nice = exact, as in "it fits nicely", and not nice = approximate, as in "a rough calculation"; 2nd: Sharp,coarse,harsh as in "a rough temper", or grating or unpleasant as in "sounds that are rough to the ears"

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Tails twisted in marker between land and sea (9)

### Answer: COASTLINE ### Explanation: Definition: between land and sea **Anagram of**(twisted) TAILS **contained in**(in) CONE(marker of that shape used eg. on roads, playing fields.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: I believe about 80% of confrontation is getting louder (9)

### Answer: CRESCENDO ### Explanation: Definition: getting louder CREDO(what I believe in) **containing**(about) SCEN(4 out of 5,80% of letters of "scene",confrontation in public, eg. created by little children versus their parents)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: How Brer Fox lay? Leave after him? (5)

### Answer: DOGGO ### Explanation: Definition: How Brer Fox lay GO(leave) **placed after**(after) DOG(him,Brer Fox,a member of the zoological family Canidae, whose members are called dogs – a male fox is also called a dog fox) Defn/Answer: Hide as Brer (brother) Fox of the Uncle Remus folk-tales was prone to do in order to trick his antagonist, Brer Rabbit

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Is a girl a boy or a girl? (5)

### Answer: ISSUE ### Explanation: Definition: a boy or a girl IS **plus** SUE(name of a girl) Answer: Biological issue, children who may be boys or girls

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: A lot of money made as evidence of being well protected (9)

### Answer: BOMBPROOF ### Explanation: Definition: well protected BOMB(slang for a lot of money, as in "that bauble cost me a bomb") **plus** PROOF(evidence)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Killer's mistake is to interrupt races (9)

### Answer: TERRORIST ### Explanation: Definition: Killer [ERROR(mistake) IS] **contained in**(to interrupt) TT($$T$$ourist $$T$$rophy, the motorcycle races run annually in the Isle of Man)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Fashionable firm appearing finally disguised (5)

### Answer: INCOG ### Explanation: Definition: disguised IN(fashionable, as in "the in-crowd") CO(abbrev. for $$co$$mpany,firm) G(last letter,finally of "appearing") Answer: Short for incognito,in disguise.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: One in charge of unfinished new picture may be laid on pillow (7)

### Answer: OCCIPUT ### Explanation: Definition: may be laid on pillow OC($$O$$fficer $$C$$ommanding,one in charge) **plus** **anagram of**(new) PICTU("picture" without last 2 letters,unfinished – an Araucarian liberty, which some might frown upon, afraid of the slippery slope it might lead to?) Answer: The back part of the head which is laid on a pillow.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: These days a French lover is very hard (7)

### Answer: ADAMANT ### Explanation: Definition: very hard AD($$a$$nno $$D$$omini,the present era,these days) AMANT("lover" in French)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Mutton dressed as lamb? That's Prince Charles (5,9)

### Answer: YOUNG PRETENDER ### Explanation: Definition: That's Prince Charles Cryptic defn. The idiomatic description is, usually disparagingly, used to describe an aging woman (a figurative comparison to mutton from an old sheep) dressed, and hence trying to pass off,pretending to be, young (a comparison to a young lamb). Me, I don't think that anything disparaging can or should be said about those who can pull it off, certainly not the examples below. Found this extract from a 1911 social gossip journal involving another prince: "Some one the other day asked the Prince of Wales at the Ancient Music whether he did not think some girl pretty. 'Girl!' answered he, 'Girls are not to my taste. I don't like lamb; but mutton dressed like lamb!'." The answer refers not to the current English prince, but Charles Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie, of "The Skye Boat Song" fame. He was the "Young Pretender" to the English throne, to distinguish him from his father, who was also a pretender to the throne.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Byline pictures prison riots (14)

### Answer: SUPERSCRIPTION ### Explanation: Definition: Byline **Anagram of**(riots) PICTURES PRISON Answer: A superscription is something that is written above some writing, and most commonly like so1. A byline is the line above, say, a newspaper article, on which is written/printed the author's name. One could stretch the meanings to be synonymous, I guess.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: euro demand on the way (2,5)

### Answer: EN ROUTE ### Explanation: Definition: on the way **Anagram of**(demand) TEN(10) EURO

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Trouble ahead – also hot during growth ahead (9)

### Answer: TOOTHACHE ### Explanation: Definition: Trouble ahead TOO(also) **plus** {H($$h$$ot, as displayed on your hot/cold water taps) **contained in**(during) TACHE(short for moustache,the growth on head,ahead,an Araucarian liberty?)} Answer: A problem,trouble in the head,ahead – same usage as in the wordplay, but in a different part of the head.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Man left picture on mount for inspiration (7)

### Answer: HELICON ### Explanation: Definition: mount for inspiration HE(pronoun for man) L($$l$$eft) ICON(picture,representation usually of a sacred or sanctified Christian personage, but in modern usage, more often those little pictorial symbols on your computer screen) Answer: The mountain in Greece, which, in Greek mythology stood for poetic inspiration

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Turn African country into old Palestinian one — not hot during excursion in play (4,3,5,7)

### Answer: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING ### Explanation: Definition: play {U($$U$$–turn) CHAD(an African country)} **contained in**(into) MOAB(old Biblical Palestinian one,country) **plus** {[NOT H($$h$$ot)] **contained in**(during) OUTING(excursion)} Answer: Shakespearean play, an answer obtained from the definition and enumeration, short-circuiting the intricate wordplay.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: One man's 20 is another man's style raised loudly in cargo carrier (7,7)

### Answer: FREEDOM FIGHTER ### Explanation: Definition: One man's 20 is another man **Reversal of**(raised, in a down clue) MODE(style,fashion) **plus** F($$f$$orte,musical instruction to play loudly,with force) **contained in**(in) FREIGHTER(cargo carrier, originally a ship, but now could be an aircraft, or even a freight train) Answer: Another one obtained by bypassing the intricate wordplay. The full quote, "One man's terrorist (answer to 20A) is another man's freedom fighter" is attributed, as far as I can gather, to English writer Gerald Seymour from his 1975 novel, Harry's Game.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Copy cat in romance after afters return (9)

### Answer: DUPLICATE ### Explanation: Definition: Copy CAT **contained in**(in) LIE(a romance,fanciful thing) **placed after**(after) **reversal of**(return) PUD(short for pudding,dessert,afters, after the main course of a meal)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Wind nothing like this before capturing leg-endary (sic) bird (7)

### Answer: SIROCCO ### Explanation: Definition: Wind {SIC(as such,like this,before any correction/amendment, see above line) **placed before**(before) O(=0=zero=nothing)} **containing**(capturing) ROC(legendary bird, like the one which carried Sinbad the Sailor) Answer: A hot dry dusty wind blowing from northern Africa into southern Europe

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Report of beak on beast with horns where speed limit is likely (5,2)

### Answer: BUILT UP ### Explanation: Definition: where speed limit is likely BUIL{**Homophone of**(report of) "bill",a bird's beak) **placed before**(on, in a down clue) TUP(a male sheep,ram,beast with horns) Answer: Part (or all) of a town/city which is congested with buildings and people and where, for safety, a speed limit is likely to be in force.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Gas found by setter around Frome (7)

### Answer: METHANE ### Explanation: Definition: Gas ME(refering to the setter) **containing**(around) ETHAN(the novel Ethan Frome by American author Edith Wharton) Answer: The simplest hydrocarbon CH4, a colourless odourless inflammable gas

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Picking scene where killer gets tough? (7)

### Answer: ORCHARD ### Explanation: Definition: Picking scene ORC(the killer whale or one of J.R.R Tolkien's killer ogres) ***plus***(gets) HARD(tough as nails) Defn: Cryptic description of where one can be seen picking fruits

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Some portraits by writer, an artist (5)

### Answer: ORPEN ### Explanation: Definition: artist OR(2,some letters from "portrait" – a liberty similar to 23A) **plus**(by) PEN(writer,something used for writing) Answer: Irish painter,artist William Newenham Montague (1878-1931)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Alienate corrupt sergeant (8)

### Answer: ESTRANGE ### Explanation: Definition: Alienate **Anagram of**(corrupt) SERGEANT

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Worship, hoping to drown such music? (3,3)

### Answer: HIP HOP ### Explanation: Definition: such music **Hidden in**(to drown) worsHIP HOPing Answer: Aka rap music

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Primate hard at work catching hard black sailor (8)

### Answer: BUSHBABY ### Explanation: Definition: Primate BUSY(hard at work) **containing**(catching) [H($$h$$ard) B($$b$$lack) AB($$a$$ble-$$b$$odied seaman,sailor)] Answer: Nocturnal (which explains their large eyes and ears) arboreal primate found in Africa south of the Sahara

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Animal claiming a right to be more treasured (6)

### Answer: DEARER ### Explanation: Definition: more treasured DEER(animal) **containing**(claiming) [A R($$r$$ight)]

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: That girl meeting the Queen is thin (5)

### Answer: SHEER ### Explanation: Definition: thin SHE(pronoun for "that girl") **plus**(meeting) ER($$E$$lizabeth $$R$$egina,the Queen)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Not most knowledgeable, however (9)

### Answer: LEASTWISE ### Explanation: Definition: however LEAST(not most, as an understatement of the littlest) WISE(in the sense of "being wise to",have knowledge of,knowledgeable, and not necessarily having wisdom) Answer: I found it quite difficult to illustrate the sense in which the answer and defn. could be used inter-changeably. This is the best I can do: "We have not yet won; however/leastwise, we shall keep on trying." The meaning is "at any rate", "in spite of that"

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Deal with worrying satanic plant (12)

### Answer: TRADESCANTIA ### Explanation: Definition: plant TRADE(deal with,transact) **plus**(with) **anagram of**(worrying) SATANIC Answer: Given by wordplay/checking letters, a new word for me, meaning the genus of widely cultivated (and familiar) (house)plants with striped variegated leaves, aka spiderworts, and including the "wandering Jew".

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Chief to tease Greer struggling with piece of kitchen equipment (6,6)

### Answer: CHEESE GRATER ### Explanation: Definition: piece of kitchen equipment CH($$ch$$ief) **plus**(to) **anagram of**(struggling) TEASE GREER. Ironic surface of the feminist Germaine in the kitchen, the very place that symbolises the inequality of the sexes.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Charge for a water pipe by branch of a river in Australia (9)

### Answer: BILLABONG ### Explanation: Definition: branch of a river in Australia BILL(noun or verb, of charge,invoice) **plus**(for) A BONG(a type of water pipe, like a hookah, for smoking drugs, especially marijuana) Answer: A stretch of water, like a creek, where you might meet the ghost of a jolly swagman.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Journey to get last bit of ungulate's offal (5)

### Answer: TRIPE ### Explanation: Definition: offal TRIP(journey) **plus**(to get) E(last letter,bit of "ungulate")

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Novelist, say, taking gold for "God" (6)

### Answer: AUTHOR ### Explanation: Definition: Novelist AU(from Latin, $$au$$rum, symbol for the element, gold, in chemistry) **plus**(for) THOR(hammer-wielding Scandinavian god of thunder – and rain and farming)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: German government put in control after street fight (8)

### Answer: STRUGGLE ### Explanation: Definition: fight {G($$G$$erman) G($$g$$overnment) **contained in**(put in) RULE(control,reign)} **placed after**(after) ST($$st$$reet)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Bash against Director General and setter, reversing in small electric car (6)

### Answer: DODGEM ### Explanation: Definition: small electric car DO(a function like 26 Nov in Derby,party,bash) **plus**(against) DG($$D$$irector $$G$$eneral) **plus**(and) **reversal of**(reversing) ME(pronoun for the setter of this crossword)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Skint and embarrassed, traded in goods for commission (8)

### Answer: BROKERED ### Explanation: Definition: traded in goods for commission BROKE(having no money,skint) RED(colour of one's face when embarrassed) Answer: Not strictly trading, but more facilitating trade in goods, by getting together buyers and sellers and receiving a commission for one's efforts.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Proudly raise letter to gaffer (6)

### Answer: EMBOSS ### Explanation: Definition: Proudly raise EM(the letter "m") BOSS(the foreman or overseer, especially of a gang of manual labourers refered to as the "gaffer" – the word was originally a contraction of "godfather", which word is now also synonymous with a "boss" in the underworld) Answer: "Proudly" could be here to lend emphasis, as "proud" as an adjective already means projecting or protruding above the surrounding area, ie. raised. Otherwise, there are two (one too many?) defining words here.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Check tip of electrode on top of sperm-producing glands (6)

### Answer: TESTES ### Explanation: Definition: sperm-producing glands TEST(check,to confirm or explore) E(first, or last letter,tip of "electrode) **placed before**(on) S(first letter,top of "sperm" – the word doing double duty in wordplay and defn). I don't know what to make of the surface – some form of sterilisation procedure? 🙂 Answer: The glands in your family jewels.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Sperm whales' innards may contain this novelist pierced by ice floating in sea and river (9)

### Answer: AMBERGRIS ### Explanation: Definition: Sperm whales' innards may contain this AMIS(novelist Kingsley or son Martin) **containing**(pierced by) [BERG(ice floating in sea) R($$r$$iver)] Answer: Secretion from the sperm whales' intestine,innards . After aging, it becomes hard and marbled grey, hence it name from Latin for grey amber. It also turns from being foul-smelling to something that is used in perfumery.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Go to get bishop, English bloke and god confused by unintelligible jargon (12)

### Answer: GOBBLEDEGOOK ### Explanation: Definition: unintelligible jargon GO **plus**(to get) B($$b$$ishop, as in chess notation) **anagram of**(confused) [E($$E$$nglish) BLOKE + GOD]

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Disinclined to act in liner tragedy (5)

### Answer: INERT ### Explanation: Definition: Disinclined to act **Hidden in**(in) lINER Tragedy

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Musicians' rare piano is covered by tiles (8)

### Answer: HARPISTS ### Explanation: Definition: Musicians [R(abbrev. for rare, what the waiter writes to indicate how your steak is to be done) P($$p$$iano, musical instruction) IS] **contained in**(covered by) HATS(high silk hats,tiles)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Man pares freshly made cheese (8)

### Answer: PARMESAN ### Explanation: Definition: cheese **Anagram of**(freshly made) MAN PARES Answer: Trademarked name for the type of cheese produced in a specified area in Italy (including that around Parma), under the control of an authorised agency. What you get on your table at Pizza Hut is probably not it.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Charge for chap's expression of amusement? (12)

### Answer: MANSLAUGHTER ### Explanation: Definition: Charge MAN'S(chap's) LAUGHTER(expression of amusement) Answer: An example,? of the charge that one might face in a court of law.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Gobsmacked to get a point before rugby free-for-all (9)

### Answer: AWESTRUCK ### Explanation: Definition: Gobsmacked A WEST(compass point) **plus**(before) RUCK(the free-for-all in rugby where players form a scrum over the ball when it is on the ground, each team trying to win it, and pushing back their opponents.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Sheath for poet following evidence of the pox? (8)

### Answer: SCABBARD ### Explanation: Definition: Sheath BARD(poet, eg. Shakespeare) **placed after**(following) SCAB(encrustation over a healing pustule,evidence of having suffered a disease like smallpox or chickenpox, or even worse). The poet should have been advised that wearing a sheath in the first place would have prevented the pox.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Collapsed prostrate during action (8)

### Answer: DEFLATED ### Explanation: Definition: Collapsed FLAT(as in flat on the ground,prostrate) **contained in**(during) DEED(an act, or action). Is there something here about inflatable dolls and action?

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Hang about in ladies' underwear that is not visible (6)

### Answer: LINGER ### Explanation: Definition: Hang about "Lingerie",ladies' underwear **minus**(not visible) "ie",that is,id est. Amusing image of a closet cross-dresser.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Fed up with death in shelter (6)

### Answer: DEFEND ### Explanation: Definition: shelter **Reversal of**(up, in a down clue) FED **plus**(with) END(the end,death)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Make amends an hour after midnight (5)

### Answer: ATONE ### Explanation: Definition: Make amends AT ONE a.m.(the time an hour after midnight). Better late than never?

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Horrific house tool (6)

### Answer: HAMMER ### Explanation: Definition: Horrific house,tool Double defn: 1st: Hammer Film Productions is a UK production company,house which is best known for making ground-breaking horrific movies in the late 50s, a genre known as "Hammer Horror" – such as a "Frankenstein" series – The Curse of, The Revenge of, The Evil of, – you get the picture, and a "Dracula" series. Answer: Also Mike Hammer, PI created by American author Mickey Spillane

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Soldier that would take flight (6)

### Answer: ARCHER ### Explanation: Definition: Soldier that would take flight Cryptic defn: An old-time soldier with a long and light arrow,flight designed for long-distance shooting Answer: Also, Lew Archer, created by American Ross McDonald

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: I led Orange Revolution in historical period (4,3)

### Answer: IRON AGE ### Explanation: Definition: historical period I **placed before**(led) **anagram of**(Revolution) ORANGE

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Seasons mess mixed with rum (7)

### Answer: SUMMERS ### Explanation: Definition: Seasons **Anagram of**(mixed with) [MESS + RUM] Answer: Also, I think, but I may be totally wrong, the last of the 11s. Found real-life ones with that name, but only a fictional one .

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: See preamble (7,3)

### Answer: PRIVATE EYE ### Explanation: The satirical magazine celebrates its 50th birthday today. The answer, in a different sense, is an alternative defn. of 10 other solutions.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Towering installation (4)

### Answer: TALL ### Explanation: Hidden in**(in) sTALLation – a tricky, splitting device.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Get the better of church shrink (5)

### Answer: WINCE ### Explanation: Definition: shrink WIN(get the better of,beat) CE($$C$$hurch of $$E$$ngland)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Wheat product reportedly grown in Sussex (3,5)

### Answer: RYE BREAD ### Explanation: Definition: Wheat product **Homophone of**(reportedly) {"rye"(a resort town in East Sussex) hyphenated with "bred"(past tense of breed,grown)}

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: State artist is 4's supplier (8)

### Answer: FLETCHER ### Explanation: Definition: 4's supplier FL(abbrev. for US state Florida, used in postal codes) ETCHER(an artist making designs or pictures by etching metal, glass, etc. with acid) Answer: One who makes,a supplier of arrows for ARCHER(answer to 4A). Also, Jessica Fletcher, amateur detective in American TV series, Murder She Wrote

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Does this suit a gardener's needs? (5)

### Answer: SPADE ### Explanation: Definition: Does this suit a gardener's needs? Cryptic defn. of a gardener's tool which, in the plural, is also a suit in a deck of playing cards. Answer: Also, Sam Spade, tough guy detective, created by American Dashiell Hammett.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Computers returned in swindle (4)

### Answer: SCAM ### Explanation: Definition: swindle **Reversal of**(returned) MACS(short form for Mackintoshes, Apple computers)