0xharib/xword1 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Arrive with enthusiasm for Beckett's dramaticule (4,3,2)	### Answer: COME AND GO ### Explanation: Definition: Beckett's dramaticule COME(arrive) AND(with) GO(enthusiasm,drive) Answer: Samuel Beckett's very short play, between 121 and 127 words long, spoken by three characters, really deserving of the descriptive "dramaticule"
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Always up on horse for example? (8)	### Answer: ADDICTED ### Explanation: Definition: Always up on horse for example? I think I've got the answer to this cryptic definition. If you're always up,high on heroin,horse in slang, an example of a drug, then it can only mean that you're addicted.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Shed worker grabbed by lion (4-2)	### Answer: LEAN-TO ### Explanation: Definition: Shed ANT(one of whose castes in a colony is the worker) contained in(grabbed by) LEO(the lion in the zodiac, from the Greek word)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: The finished work to go here? (3-4)	### Answer: OUT-TRAY ### Explanation: Definition: The finished work to go here? Cryptic defn: Where finished work in the office goes. Another potential relic with the advent of the electronic age.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Goddess with chicken ate sandwiches (6)	### Answer: ATHENE ### Explanation: Definition: Goddess ATE containing(sandwiches) HEN(chicken) Answer: Ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, fertility, the useful arts and prudent warfare – ancient multi-tasking
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Complain inaudibly? (5,3)	### Answer: SOUND OFF ### Explanation: Definition: Complain Without sound,inaudibly. Answer: To complain in a frank and open manner, far from inaudibly.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Harangue one in business (6)	### Answer: TIRADE ### Explanation: Definition: Harangue I(Roman numeral for one) contained in(in) TRADE(business, what keeps shops, companies and nations going)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Poet found editing a chore (6)	### Answer: HORACE ### Explanation: Definition: Poet Anagram of(editing) A CHORE. Answer: Quintus Horatius Flaccus, or Horace to the English-speaking world, leading Roman poet of old.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Dissenter beaten to a paste (8)	### Answer: APOSTATE ### Explanation: Definition: Dissenter Anagram of(beaten) TO A PASTE. Answer: A WIWD (wordplay intertwined with definition) clue, as such dissenters were, and in some cases are, if not beaten to a paste, executed in other ways. The word originally was used in the religious sense, until the 14C when it also applied to non-religious situations, eg. politics.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: The probability eccentric succeeded (4)	### Answer: ODDS ### Explanation: Definition: The probability ODD(eccentric) + S(abbrev. for succeeded at a guess, since I'm unable to quote a source or usage, perhaps in monarchic succession)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Where crooked landlords are or should be (6,4)	### Answer: BEHIND BARS ### Explanation: Definition: Where crooked landlords are or should be Cryptic defn: Landlords who run and own inns and pubs are found behind bars, whilst crooked landlords of rented houses and flats should be the same.
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 grope in confusion for negligée (8)	### Answer: PEIGNOIR ### Explanation: Definition: negligée Anagram of(confusion) I GROPE IN. Answer: From the French for "to comb", peigner, since this is what the ladies would be wearing after their bath while combing their hair.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Tory leader has pain in bum (4)	### Answer: TAIL ### Explanation: Definition: bum T(initial letter,leader of Tory) plus(has) AIL(to be in pain,suffereing from)
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 keeps key in jar (4)	### Answer: POET ### Explanation: Definition: Writer E(major, presumably, one of the keys,tonalities from the 24 major and minor diatonic scales upon which a musical composition's tonal framework is based) contained in(keeps…in) POT(jar, eg a jam-pot)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Einstein revised in this decade (8)	### Answer: NINETIES ### Explanation: Definition: this decade Anagram of(revised) EINSTEIN. Answer: Could be the 1990s, or the 1890s which were the Gay Nineties to the Americans, and the Naughty Nineties to the British.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Nurse takes in rebel found in the kitchen (10)	### Answer: TENDERISER ### Explanation: Definition: found in the kitchen TENDER(could be a noun, a person who tends,a nurse, or a verb, to treat tenderly,to nurse) containing(takes in) RISE(verb, to rebel) Answer: A substance found in the kitchen, applied to meat to make it tender.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Competent to turn round in the Mediterranean (4)	### Answer: ELBA ### Explanation: Definition: in the Mediterranean Reversal of(to turn round) ABLE(competent). Answer: Island in the Mediterranean.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Cloth requires money, nothing more (8)	### Answer: CASHMERE ### Explanation: Definition: Cloth CASH(money) + MERE(nothing more,just this) Answer: Cloth made from the downy wool at the roots of the hair of goats from Kashmir, which used to be spelt Cashmere.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Aversion is new treatment in Alcoholics Anonymous (6)	### Answer: NAUSEA ### Explanation: Definition: Aversion N($$n$$ew) + {USE(behaviour,treatment towards, eg. "to use a friend well") contained in(in) AA(abbrev. for Alcoholics Anonymous)}. Answer: Another WIWD clue. Aversion therapy is used to treat alcoholism, by causing nausea in association with alcohol, and by other more subtle methods.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Prominence of Hungary's rowing team (6)	### Answer: HEIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: Prominence H(International Vehicle Registration code for Hungary) + EIGHT(a rowing team having 8 rowers)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Study shows doctor is English (8)	### Answer: TREATISE ### Explanation: Definition: Study TREAT(doctor, as a verb) + IS + E($$E$$nglish) Down :
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Duck enclosure belonging to the past (2,3)	### Answer: OF OLD ### Explanation: Definition: belonging to the past O(looks like 0,zero,duck, a cricketer's score of zero runs) FOLD(an enclosure for sheep, or other domestic animals.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Mean to complain Edward's optically challenged (4-7)	### Answer: NEAR-SIGHTED ### Explanation: Definition: optically challenged NEAR(mean,stingy, as in "he was near with his wallet") + SIGH(exhale audibly, a non-verbal expression of disappointment,to complain. Subject to misinterpretation by the listener, as you could have sighs of yearning, lament/grief, relief, despair, tiredness. It's better to SOUND OFF.) + TED(a short form of the name Edward).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Finished work? Take on too many! (8)	### Answer: OVERBOOK ### Explanation: Definition: Take on too many OVER(finished,done with) + BOOK(a work by an author). Answer: What airlines and restaurants do, just in case some of the people don't turn up, but when all turn up, you've got an ugly situation – of their own making, I think.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Bring the house down and get rich (7,4,4)	### Answer: FEATHER ONE’S NEST ### Explanation: Definition: get rich FEATHER(down,layer of fine feathers in birds, especially the young) plus(bring) ONE"S NEST(the house). Nice surface of a popular entertainer getting rich.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Team leader's lecherous? That's problematical! (6)	### Answer: THORNY ### Explanation: Definition: problematical T(initial letter,leader of "team") + HORNY(lecherous,sexually lustful, apparently derived from reference to the horns of the goat, which was a symbol of lust. In this age of equality, the description may be used to refer to either sex)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Deterioration of rare books (3)	### Answer: ROT ### Explanation: Definition: Deterioration R(abbrev. for rare, what your waitress writes when you want your meat bloody) + OT(the Old Testament comprising of a series of books)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Choose to prevent excavation (9)	### Answer: DETERMINE ### Explanation: Definition: Choose DETER(to prevent from happening) + MINE(an excavation to extract coal and minerals)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Doctor hid test-tube to fail (4,3,4)	### Answer: BITE THE DUST ### Explanation: Definition: to fail Anagram of(doctor, as a verb) HID TEST-TUBE. Answer: From the literal fall face down to the ground and dirt in defeat.
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 rodent enters river that's clear (9)	### Answer: EXONERATE ### Explanation: Definition: clear ONE RAT(a rodent) contained in(enters) EXE(the river in England) Answer: Clear after being accused of a wrongdoing.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Gate for transport (8)	### Answer: ENTRANCE ### Explanation: Definition: Gate,transport Double defn: 2nd: To transport into a trance
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Keen to get skill without study (6)	### Answer: ARDENT ### Explanation: Definition: Keen ART(skill) containing(without,outside) DEN(study room)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Wish happiness to bishop to a smaller extent (5)	### Answer: BLESS ### Explanation: Definition: Wish happiness B(abbrev. for bishop in chess notation) plus(to) LESS(a smaller extent)
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 catch a glimpse of witch (3)	### Answer: HAG ### Explanation: Definition: witch Hidden in(some) catcH A Glimpse.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: States circumvented by hasty retreat of gay character (6)	### Answer: HUSSAR ### Explanation: Definition: gay character US(United States) contained in(circumvented) plus(by) reversal of(retreat) RASH(hasty,unthinking) Answer: One of the characters in The Gay Hussars, the English title (literal translation of the German title is "Autumn Manoeuvres") of Emmerich Kalman's operetta. From the old-fashioned meaning of gay, and not to be confused with "The Gay Hussar" restaurant in London.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Mutant 2 transmuted metal (8)	### Answer: TITANIUM ### Explanation: Definition: metal Anagram of(transmuted) of MUTANT + II(Roman numeral for 2,two).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Inquisitor wrecked Manx army jeep (6,6)	### Answer: JEREMY PAXMAN ### Explanation: Definition: Inquisitor Anagram of(wrecked) MANX ARMY JEEP Defn: Cryptic defn: Inquisitor,interrogator of politicians on BBC's Newsnight programme, with a style criticised as aggressive, intimidating and condescending, and also applauded as tough and incisive. Questioner of another sort on Univeristy Challenge.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Ecstatic about coiffure for prom (8)	### Answer: SEAFRONT ### Explanation: Definition: prom SENT(ecstatic,raptured) containing(about) AFRO(coiffure where the hair is shaped into a wide frizzy bush) Answer: Where you'll often find the prom,promenade, a public path for leisure walks in a seaside resort.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Monarch caught by his opponent on air (7,4)	### Answer: CROWNED HEAD ### Explanation: Definition: Monarch C(caught as in cricket notation) plus(by) ROWNED HEAD{homophone of(on air) "roundhead"(nickname of one, such as Oliver Cromwell, who was an opponent of the monarch, King Charles I in particular during the English Civil War, for supremacy of Parliament over the monarchy. So-called because of their hairstyle, far removed from the Afro.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Discriminatory fifth-rankers catching seventh note (7)	### Answer: ELITIST ### Explanation: Definition: Discriminatory E(fifth letter in the English alphabet) + LIST{giving the ranking of, well, rankers(rankees?)} containing(catching) TI(musically, syllable for the seventh note in the diatonic scale, also what to "drink with jam and bread")
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Eg fungus-scavenger initially multiplied by 20 (7)	### Answer: CULTURE ### Explanation: Definition: Eg fungus "Vulture"(large scavenger bird) whose first letter(initially) V(Roman numeral for 5) is replaced by C(Roman numeral for 100 which is 5 multiplied by 20). Answer: Fungus may be,eg a product of cultivation for scientific and medicinal purposes. Note the nice touch of adding the hyphen to correspond to "culture-vulture".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Dance mistress and dissolute priest on the job (11)	### Answer: TERPSICHORE ### Explanation: Definition: Dance mistress Anagram of(dissolute) PRIEST plus(on) CHORE(job,task that is needed to be done) Cryptic defn: Of the muse of dancing (and choral song),dance mistress – "mistress" as in a woman who has the power of controlling or disposing of something at her own pleasure:.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: What Syrinx did in 8? Yielded! (8)	### Answer: RETURNED ### Explanation: Definition: Yielded In myth(answer to 8down), Syrinx, a nymph who did TURN into hollow water REEDs to protect her chastity from Pan, who in turn cut and turned the reeds into his first set of pan pipes. So much for escaping, and thus the exclamation mark after "yielded". Interestingly the word "syringe" is derived from this. Answer: As in yielded,returned from a financial investment.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Yob getting hold of New Order's 22 garment (6)	### Answer: KIMONO ### Explanation: Definition: garment Reversal of(returned,answer to 22across) [OIK(British slang for lout,oaf,yob) containing(getting hold of) {N($$n$$ew) + OM(Order of Merit)]. Answer: The Japanese wrap-around garment.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Unfashionable subject's popular favourites (8)	### Answer: CLASSICS ### Explanation: Definition: popular favourites CLASSIC(not subject to fashion changes,unfashionable) + S(in grammar, abbrev. for subject, part of speech). Edit.note morning after: But see the final .
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Polish writers wanting head of Polish painter (6)	### Answer: RUBENS ### Explanation: Definition: painter RUB(polish) + ENS{"pens",writers minus(wanting) P{initial letter(head) of "polish"}
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Receivers receiving setter's payment, initially, in coins (10)	### Answer: FIVEPENCES ### Explanation: Definition: coins FENCES(crooked receivers of stolen goods) containing(receiving) [I'VE(setter's,setter has,I have) + P(first letter,initially of "payment")]
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Bulb in lift lifted in house (8)	### Answer: DAFFODIL ### Explanation: Definition: Bulb Reversal of(lifted, in a down clue) DOFF(lift, as when you doff your cap) containing(in) DAIL(lower house of parliament of the Republic of Ireland). Defn: Of the flowery kind
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Terrorist (cyber-criminal) embracing leaders of Islamic jihad (8)	### Answer: HIJACKER ### Explanation: Definition: Terrorist HACKER(cyber-criminal) containing(embracing) [I J](initial letters,leaders of "Islamic jihad") Answer: He/she used to be just a thief, and not a terrorist
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Pasquale, perhaps, cross-culturally cross-dressing, cold and dry (8)	### Answer: SARDONIC ### Explanation: Definition: dry SARI(Indian garment) containing(cross) DON(dressing) + C(cold)? Is Pasquale the setter, sardonic? Or "Sardinian"(Italian from the island who might,perhaps be named Pasquale) + ???? + C(cold). That's as far as I got, which is not near enough, so help requested. Edit.note. Thanks and . {SARI(Indian garment,cross-culturally…dressing) containing('cross) DON(an example of which,perhaps is Pasquale aka Don Manley, crossword setter)} My excuse for not twigging the DON connection: that sedative from yesterday hasn't worn off 🙂 Edit.note, morning after revision: Thanks to . {DON(an example of which,perhaps is Pasquale aka Don Manley, crossword setter) *contained in*(…dressing) a SARI(an Indian,cross-culturally, female,cross-dressing garment)} + C($$c$$old).
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-trick artist's creation (4)	### Answer: ICON ### Explanation: Definition: artist's creation I(Roman numeral for one) + CON(as a noun,a trick)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Yen to interrupt thousandth tall tale? (4)	### Answer: MYTH ### Explanation: Definition: tall tale Y(abbrev. for the Japanese currency) contained in(to interrupt) MTH(Mth,thousandth)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Discouragement of French dramatist adopting recipe (10)	### Answer: DETERRENCE ### Explanation: Definition: Discouragement DE(French for "of") + [TERENCE(name in English for Publius Terentius Afer, dramatist of ancient Rome) containing(adopting) R(abbrev. for $$r$$ecipe, and one that has been much discussed in previous blogs!)]
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Feel bad about turning on gas in beleaguered economic area (8)	### Answer: EUROZONE ### Explanation: Definition: beleaguered economic area Reversal of(turning) RUE(feel bad about,regret) placed above(on, in a down clue) OZONE(gas of tri-oxygen-atom molecules). Answer: Currently area that is economically beleaguered, including the PIGS and perhaps more.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Kind of ancient Roman people keeping half of 13 confused (8)	### Answer: GENEROUS ### Explanation: Definition: Kind GENS(families,people in ancient Rome claiming descent from a common ancestor) containing(keeping) anagram of(confused) EURO(half of answer to 13down)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Hobby generating unearned income (8)	### Answer: INTEREST ### Explanation: Definition: Hobby,unearned income Double defn: 2nd: Income you don't earn by doing anything other than to invest a principal sum and to collect interest, though the taxman may still (or may not) tax 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: 15 circle needing brains to crack this? (6)	### Answer: CLIQUE ### Explanation: Definition: 15 circle IQ(brains, or rather a measure of how much there is) containing(to crack) CLUE(this,what you're reading). Answer: An exclusive circle of people from the elite, described by the answer to 15across.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Idle, maybe, being possessed of infinite riches (4)	### Answer: ERIC ### Explanation: Definition: Idle, maybe Hidden in(being possessed of) infinitE RIChes Answer: Eric, comedian and one of those,maybe, with the surname Idle. A nominal gift to crossword setters – if I had a penny ….. I'd have riches, maybe not infinite.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Weasel docked in colonnade (4)	### Answer: STOA ### Explanation: Definition: colonnade Stoat(weasel) minus its last letter,tail(docked).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Liberal plot captures street opinion (5-6)	### Answer: BROAD-MINDED ### Explanation: Definition: Liberal BED(earthen plot for growing flowers, etc.) containing(captures) [ROAD(street) + MIND(opinion, as in "he's of like mind")] Answer: In a general, and not the narrow political, sense.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: For the most part, place is getting right set in (7)	### Answer: LARGELY ### Explanation: Definition: For the most part LAY(to place) containing(is getting…in) [R($$r$$ight) + GEL(to set,become firm,solidify, as with, well, gelatine/jelly.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Twitter has power to upset (7)	### Answer: PRATTLE ### Explanation: Definition: Twitter P(abbrev. for $$p$$ower, especially in physics) + RATTLE(to upset,unnerve)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Heavenly lilac trees in trouble without a river (9)	### Answer: CELESTIAL ### Explanation: Definition: Heavenly Anagram of(in trouble) [LILAC TEES]("lilac trees" minus(without) "r"(river)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: God's briefly absorbed by points of morality (5)	### Answer: ETHOS ### Explanation: Definition: morality THO("Thor",Scandinavian god of thunder, lightning and farming) minus its last letter,briefly contained in(absorbed by) [E & S($$e$$ast & $$s$$outh,points of the compass). I'm wondering whether or not the "'s" is superfluous.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Show off retro dress (4)	### Answer: BRAG ### Explanation: Definition: Show off Reversal of(retro) GARB(dress in general). Nicely misdirecting one to a retro dress like the sack.
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 historian, very sick by end of life, died tormented (10)	### Answer: BEDEVILLED ### Explanation: Definition: tormented BEDE(Saint Bede, 7C monk who wrote the earliest history of England apparently) + V($$v$$ery) + ILL(sick) plus(by) E(last letter,end of "life") + D($$d$$ied).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Athlete's facing disqualification, having hidden drug in vegetable (6,4)	### Answer: RUNNER BEAN ### Explanation: Definition: vegetable RUNNER(athlete) plus(facing) BAN(disqualification) containing(having hidden…in) E(slang/abbrev. for the drug, ecstasy).
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 who fell for a woman (4)	### Answer: ADAM ### Explanation: Definition: Man who fell A DAM(a woman, specifically the female parent, and especially used for domestic livestock. Defn. and Answer: The first man, who fell to Eve's, first woman's, temptation, and hence fell from grace, in the Bible; and brought all their descendants down with them, so the story goes. Nice surface.
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 reflected on partners' stories (5)	### Answer: YARNS ### Explanation: Definition: stories Reversal of(reflected) RAY(man's name) plus(on) [N & S](in bridge notation, the partners occupying the $$n$$orth and $$s$$outh positions).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Eavesdrops on revolutionary Leninists (7,2)	### Answer: LISTENS IN ### Explanation: Definition: Eavesdrops on Anagram of(revolutionary) LENINISTS
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Dozing professor's brought round by sound of bell (7)	### Answer: NODDING ### Explanation: Definition: Dozing Reversal of(brought round) DON(professor at a university) plus(by) DING(sound of a bell).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Do away with old boy by way of note (7)	### Answer: OBVIATE ### Explanation: Definition: Do away with OB(abbrev. for $$o$$ld $$b$$oy) + VIA(by way of) + TE(or ti, in music, the syllable for the seventh note of the diatonic scale).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Brewed mild ales 'ere in Ireland (7,4)	### Answer: EMERALD ISLE ### Explanation: Definition: Ireland Anagram of(brewed, perfect indicator for the surface) MILD ALES 'ERE. Answer: The poetic name for Ireland due to its green countryside (lots of 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: Writer of book on Queen has ably represented popular link (5,10)	### Answer: BERYL BAINBRIDGE ### Explanation: Definition: Writer B(abbrev. for $$b$$ook) plus(on) ER(the Queen,$$E$$lizabeth $$R$$egina) plus(has) *anagram of* or reversal of(re–presented, note the hyphen) ABLY + IN(popular,fashionable) BRIDGE(link from one side to another). Answer: English authoress, Whitbread Award winner, and Booker Prize nominee.
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 as instructed by old governors (5)	### Answer: OBEYS ### Explanation: Definition: Does as instructed O(abbrev. for $$o$$ld) plus(by) BEYS(formerly, provincial governors of the Ottoman Empire).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: DIY team worked in light (7)	### Answer: DAYTIME ### Explanation: Definition: light Anagram of(worked) DIY TEAM.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Stimulus of 50% off mink raised heart rate! (7)	### Answer: IMPULSE ### Explanation: Definition: Stimulus Reversal of(raised) MI("mink" minus "nk",2 letters out of 4,50% off) + PULSE(heart rate).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Sugar-intolerant little girl has help with sick heart (8)	### Answer: DIABETIC ### Explanation: Definition: Sugar-intolerant DI(little girl, Diana in full) plus(has) ABET(to help) plus(with) IC(middle letters,heart of "sick").
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 scheduled teams for treatment for tree blight (5,3,7)	### Answer: DUTCH ELM DISEASE ### Explanation: Definition: tree blight Anagram of(for treatment) I SCHEDULED TEAMS. Nice surface of tree surgeons 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: Gleaning fruits of smart communication? (13)	### Answer: BLACKBERRYING ### Explanation: Definition: Gleaning fruits Cryptic defn: Of communication with the Blackberry smartphone. And the One Ronnie has 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: Doctor's patient demeanour? (7,6)	### Answer: BEDSIDE MANNER ### Explanation: Definition: Doctor's patient demeanour Cryptic defn: The demeanour,beheaviour of a doctor when attending to a patient, whether the latter is lying in bed or not – not something they teach at medical school?, judging by some of the doctors I've been treated by 🙂
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Dad in Paris tears round in sweat (8)	### Answer: PERSPIRE ### Explanation: Definition: sweat Reversal of(round) RIPS(tears) containing(in) PERE(French word for "father",dad, heard in Paris).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: British lagoon designed for Italian city (7)	### Answer: BOLOGNA ### Explanation: Definition: Italian city Anagram of(designed) [B(abbrev. for $$B$$ritish) + LAGOON].
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Run away with sailors to fish round Norway (7)	### Answer: ABSCOND ### Explanation: Definition: Run away ABS(plural of abbrev. for $$a$$ble-$$b$$odied seaman,sailors) plus(to) [COD(fish) containing(round) N(International Vehicle Registration code for Norway).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Conjure a vision to show the Glastonbury man (5)	### Answer: EAVIS ### Explanation: Definition: the Glastonbury man Hidden in(to show) conjurE A VISiion. Answer: Athelstan Joseph Michael Eavis, in full, English dairy farmer who started the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts (in full) or the Glastonbury or Glasto held annually at his farm (though not in 2012). No link at all to the Glastonbury Festivals of 1914-1925, of more classical performing arts.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Typical of a girl taking Latin (6)	### Answer: NORMAL ### Explanation: Definition: Typical NORMA(name of a girl) plus(taking) L(abbrev. for $$L$$atin)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Reserve the best for dessert (3,5)	### Answer: ICE CREAM ### Explanation: Definition: dessert ICE(the coolness,reserve of someone who is aloof) + CREAM(the best,tops)
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 isn't different inside a Native American people's college (9)	### Answer: INSTITUTE ### Explanation: Definition: college {Anagram of(different) ISN'T contained in(inside) IT} + UTE(Native American Indian people of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, related to the Aztecs).
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 appropriate for Peto to sleep with model (5)	### Answer: INAPT ### Explanation: Definition: It's not appropriate I(the setter,Peto) + NAP(to sleep) plus(with) T(name of one of the earliest models of cars made by the Ford company) .
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Essential to end Aretha's challenge (4)	### Answer: DARE ### Explanation: Definition: challenge Hidden in(essential to,necessary part of) enD AREtha's.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: On the outskirts of Omaruru wasted food rots in the open air (3-2-5)	### Answer: OUT-OF-DOORS ### Explanation: Definition: in the open air OU(first and last letters,outskirts of "Omaruru", in Namibia if you want to know) + anagram of(wasted) FOOD ROTS. Answer: Before it became shortened to "outdoors".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Steal Pat's dog (7)	### Answer: WHIPPET ### Explanation: Definition: dog WHIP(to steal) + PET(to pat as an expression of affection).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Upset by malicious woman's game (6)	### Answer: TIPCAT ### Explanation: Definition: game TIP(upset,overturn) + CAT(a malicious woman, literally or metaphorically scratching and biting like, well, a cat). Answer: Old-fashioned outdoor game, which some say is the fore-runner of rounders and cricket, but with a bat and piecce of wood (the cat).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Tasteless jewellery pocketed by South American of high rank (6)	### Answer: STATUS ### Explanation: Definition: of high rank TAT(tasteless articles, eg. jewellery, derived from "tatty",cheap and vulgar) contained in(pocketed by) S($$S$$outh) + US(United States,American). Answer: Used as an adjective to confer a real or apparent elevated,high rank, eg. a status job, car or symbol.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Talk idly about her taking in a race (7)	### Answer: CHATTER ### Explanation: Definition: Talk idly C(abbrev. for circa,about) + HER containing(taking in) TT(abbrev. for the International $$T$$ourist $$T$$rophy Race for motorcyles held on the Isle of Man; or, if you prefer, a $$t$$ime $$t$$rial race where competitors are individually timed and their times compared, in other words racing against the clock rather than others.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Everybody hates me dithering even so (3,3,4)	### Answer: ALL THE SAME ### Explanation: Definition: even so ALL(everybody) + anagram of(dithering) HATES ME.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Come to an end before the opening of parliament (4)	### Answer: DIET ### Explanation: Definition: parliament DIE(expire,come to an end) plus(before) T(first letter,opening of "the"). Answer: The legislative body,parliament of certain countries, eg. Japan.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Niece oddly neglected after servant becomes deranged (5)	### Answer: MANIC ### Explanation: Definition: deranged IC("niece" minus first,third and fifth letters,oddly neglected) *placed after*(after) MAN(male servant).
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 complete change of opinion on the subject of spin (5,4)	### Answer: ABOUT TURN ### Explanation: Definition: A complete change of opinion ABOUT(on the subject of,regarding) TURN(spin).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Good-humoured requests by a social worker (8)	### Answer: PLEASANT ### Explanation: Definition: Good-humoured PLEAS(requests) plus(by) ANT(a social insect, one which might belong to the worker caste within its society).

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

### Clue: Arrive with enthusiasm for Beckett's dramaticule (4,3,2)

### Answer: COME AND GO ### Explanation: Definition: Beckett's dramaticule COME(arrive) AND(with) GO(enthusiasm,drive) Answer: Samuel Beckett's very short play, between 121 and 127 words long, spoken by three characters, really deserving of the descriptive "dramaticule"

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

### Clue: Always up on horse for example? (8)

### Answer: ADDICTED ### Explanation: Definition: Always up on horse for example? I think I've got the answer to this cryptic definition. If you're always up,high on heroin,horse in slang, an example of a drug, then it can only mean that you're addicted.

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

### Clue: Shed worker grabbed by lion (4-2)

### Answer: LEAN-TO ### Explanation: Definition: Shed ANT(one of whose castes in a colony is the worker) **contained in**(grabbed by) LEO(the lion in the zodiac, from the Greek word)

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

### Clue: The finished work to go here? (3-4)

### Answer: OUT-TRAY ### Explanation: Definition: The finished work to go here? Cryptic defn: Where finished work in the office goes. Another potential relic with the advent of the electronic age.

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

### Clue: Goddess with chicken ate sandwiches (6)

### Answer: ATHENE ### Explanation: Definition: Goddess ATE **containing**(sandwiches) HEN(chicken) Answer: Ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, fertility, the useful arts and prudent warfare – ancient multi-tasking

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

### Clue: Complain inaudibly? (5,3)

### Answer: SOUND OFF ### Explanation: Definition: Complain Without sound,inaudibly. Answer: To complain in a frank and open manner, far from inaudibly.

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

### Clue: Harangue one in business (6)

### Answer: TIRADE ### Explanation: Definition: Harangue I(Roman numeral for one) **contained in**(in) TRADE(business, what keeps shops, companies and nations going)

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

### Clue: Poet found editing a chore (6)

### Answer: HORACE ### Explanation: Definition: Poet **Anagram of**(editing) A CHORE. Answer: Quintus Horatius Flaccus, or Horace to the English-speaking world, leading Roman poet of old.

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

### Clue: Dissenter beaten to a paste (8)

### Answer: APOSTATE ### Explanation: Definition: Dissenter **Anagram of**(beaten) TO A PASTE. Answer: A WIWD (wordplay intertwined with definition) clue, as such dissenters were, and in some cases are, if not beaten to a paste, executed in other ways. The word originally was used in the religious sense, until the 14C when it also applied to non-religious situations, eg. politics.

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

### Clue: The probability eccentric succeeded (4)

### Answer: ODDS ### Explanation: Definition: The probability ODD(eccentric) + S(abbrev. for succeeded at a guess, since I'm unable to quote a source or usage, perhaps in monarchic succession)

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

### Clue: Where crooked landlords are or should be (6,4)

### Answer: BEHIND BARS ### Explanation: Definition: Where crooked landlords are or should be Cryptic defn: Landlords who run and own inns and pubs are found behind bars, whilst crooked landlords of rented houses and flats should be the same.

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 grope in confusion for negligée (8)

### Answer: PEIGNOIR ### Explanation: Definition: negligée **Anagram of**(confusion) I GROPE IN. Answer: From the French for "to comb", peigner, since this is what the ladies would be wearing after their bath while combing their hair.

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

### Clue: Tory leader has pain in bum (4)

### Answer: TAIL ### Explanation: Definition: bum T(initial letter,leader of Tory) **plus**(has) AIL(to be in pain,suffereing from)

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 keeps key in jar (4)

### Answer: POET ### Explanation: Definition: Writer E(major, presumably, one of the keys,tonalities from the 24 major and minor diatonic scales upon which a musical composition's tonal framework is based) **contained in**(keeps…in) POT(jar, eg a jam-pot)

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

### Clue: Einstein revised in this decade (8)

### Answer: NINETIES ### Explanation: Definition: this decade **Anagram of**(revised) EINSTEIN. Answer: Could be the 1990s, or the 1890s which were the Gay Nineties to the Americans, and the Naughty Nineties to the British.

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

### Clue: Nurse takes in rebel found in the kitchen (10)

### Answer: TENDERISER ### Explanation: Definition: found in the kitchen TENDER(could be a noun, a person who tends,a nurse, or a verb, to treat tenderly,to nurse) **containing**(takes in) RISE(verb, to rebel) Answer: A substance found in the kitchen, applied to meat to make it tender.

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

### Clue: Competent to turn round in the Mediterranean (4)

### Answer: ELBA ### Explanation: Definition: in the Mediterranean **Reversal of**(to turn round) ABLE(competent). Answer: Island in the Mediterranean.

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

### Clue: Cloth requires money, nothing more (8)

### Answer: CASHMERE ### Explanation: Definition: Cloth CASH(money) + MERE(nothing more,just this) Answer: Cloth made from the downy wool at the roots of the hair of goats from Kashmir, which used to be spelt Cashmere.

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

### Clue: Aversion is new treatment in Alcoholics Anonymous (6)

### Answer: NAUSEA ### Explanation: Definition: Aversion N($$n$$ew) + {USE(behaviour,treatment towards, eg. "to use a friend well") **contained in**(in) AA(abbrev. for Alcoholics Anonymous)}. Answer: Another WIWD clue. Aversion therapy is used to treat alcoholism, by causing nausea in association with alcohol, and by other more subtle methods.

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

### Clue: Prominence of Hungary's rowing team (6)

### Answer: HEIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: Prominence H(International Vehicle Registration code for Hungary) + EIGHT(a rowing team having 8 rowers)

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

### Clue: Study shows doctor is English (8)

### Answer: TREATISE ### Explanation: Definition: Study TREAT(doctor, as a verb) + IS + E($$E$$nglish) **Down** :

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

### Clue: Duck enclosure belonging to the past (2,3)

### Answer: OF OLD ### Explanation: Definition: belonging to the past O(looks like 0,zero,duck, a cricketer's score of zero runs) FOLD(an enclosure for sheep, or other domestic animals.

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

### Clue: Mean to complain Edward's optically challenged (4-7)

### Answer: NEAR-SIGHTED ### Explanation: Definition: optically challenged NEAR(mean,stingy, as in "he was near with his wallet") + SIGH(exhale audibly, a non-verbal expression of disappointment,to complain. Subject to misinterpretation by the listener, as you could have sighs of yearning, lament/grief, relief, despair, tiredness. It's better to SOUND OFF.) + TED(a short form of the name Edward).

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

### Clue: Finished work? Take on too many! (8)

### Answer: OVERBOOK ### Explanation: Definition: Take on too many OVER(finished,done with) + BOOK(a work by an author). Answer: What airlines and restaurants do, just in case some of the people don't turn up, but when all turn up, you've got an ugly situation – of their own making, I think.

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

### Clue: Bring the house down and get rich (7,4,4)

### Answer: FEATHER ONE’S NEST ### Explanation: Definition: get rich FEATHER(down,layer of fine feathers in birds, especially the young) **plus**(bring) ONE"S NEST(the house). Nice surface of a popular entertainer getting rich.

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

### Clue: Team leader's lecherous? That's problematical! (6)

### Answer: THORNY ### Explanation: Definition: problematical T(initial letter,leader of "team") + HORNY(lecherous,sexually lustful, apparently derived from reference to the horns of the goat, which was a symbol of lust. In this age of equality, the description may be used to refer to either sex)

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

### Clue: Deterioration of rare books (3)

### Answer: ROT ### Explanation: Definition: Deterioration R(abbrev. for rare, what your waitress writes when you want your meat bloody) + OT(the Old Testament comprising of a series of books)

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

### Clue: Choose to prevent excavation (9)

### Answer: DETERMINE ### Explanation: Definition: Choose DETER(to prevent from happening) + MINE(an excavation to extract coal and minerals)

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

### Clue: Doctor hid test-tube to fail (4,3,4)

### Answer: BITE THE DUST ### Explanation: Definition: to fail **Anagram of**(doctor, as a verb) HID TEST-TUBE. Answer: From the literal fall face down to the ground and dirt in defeat.

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 rodent enters river that's clear (9)

### Answer: EXONERATE ### Explanation: Definition: clear ONE RAT(a rodent) **contained in**(enters) EXE(the river in England) Answer: Clear after being accused of a wrongdoing.

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

### Clue: Gate for transport (8)

### Answer: ENTRANCE ### Explanation: Definition: Gate,transport Double defn: 2nd: To transport into a trance

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

### Clue: Keen to get skill without study (6)

### Answer: ARDENT ### Explanation: Definition: Keen ART(skill) **containing**(without,outside) DEN(study room)

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

### Clue: Wish happiness to bishop to a smaller extent (5)

### Answer: BLESS ### Explanation: Definition: Wish happiness B(abbrev. for bishop in chess notation) **plus**(to) LESS(a smaller extent)

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 catch a glimpse of witch (3)

### Answer: HAG ### Explanation: Definition: witch **Hidden in**(some) catcH A Glimpse.

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

### Clue: States circumvented by hasty retreat of gay character (6)

### Answer: HUSSAR ### Explanation: Definition: gay character US(United States) **contained in**(circumvented) **plus**(by) **reversal of**(retreat) RASH(hasty,unthinking) Answer: One of the characters in The Gay Hussars, the English title (literal translation of the German title is "Autumn Manoeuvres") of Emmerich Kalman's operetta. From the old-fashioned meaning of gay, and not to be confused with "The Gay Hussar" restaurant in London.

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

### Clue: Mutant 2 transmuted metal (8)

### Answer: TITANIUM ### Explanation: Definition: metal **Anagram of**(transmuted) of MUTANT + II(Roman numeral for 2,two).

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

### Clue: Inquisitor wrecked Manx army jeep (6,6)

### Answer: JEREMY PAXMAN ### Explanation: Definition: Inquisitor **Anagram of**(wrecked) MANX ARMY JEEP Defn: Cryptic defn: Inquisitor,interrogator of politicians on BBC's Newsnight programme, with a style criticised as aggressive, intimidating and condescending, and also applauded as tough and incisive. Questioner of another sort on Univeristy Challenge.

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

### Clue: Ecstatic about coiffure for prom (8)

### Answer: SEAFRONT ### Explanation: Definition: prom SENT(ecstatic,raptured) **containing**(about) AFRO(coiffure where the hair is shaped into a wide frizzy bush) Answer: Where you'll often find the prom,promenade, a public path for leisure walks in a seaside resort.

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

### Clue: Monarch caught by his opponent on air (7,4)

### Answer: CROWNED HEAD ### Explanation: Definition: Monarch C(caught as in cricket notation) **plus**(by) ROWNED HEAD{**homophone of**(on air) "roundhead"(nickname of one, such as Oliver Cromwell, who was an opponent of the monarch, King Charles I in particular during the English Civil War, for supremacy of Parliament over the monarchy. So-called because of their hairstyle, far removed from the Afro.

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

### Clue: Discriminatory fifth-rankers catching seventh note (7)

### Answer: ELITIST ### Explanation: Definition: Discriminatory E(fifth letter in the English alphabet) + LIST{giving the ranking of, well, rankers(rankees?)} **containing**(catching) TI(musically, syllable for the seventh note in the diatonic scale, also what to "drink with jam and bread")

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

### Clue: Eg fungus-scavenger initially multiplied by 20 (7)

### Answer: CULTURE ### Explanation: Definition: Eg fungus "Vulture"(large scavenger bird) whose first letter(initially) V(Roman numeral for 5) is **replaced by** C(Roman numeral for 100 which is 5 multiplied by 20). Answer: Fungus may be,eg a product of cultivation for scientific and medicinal purposes. Note the nice touch of adding the hyphen to correspond to "culture-vulture".

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

### Clue: Dance mistress and dissolute priest on the job (11)

### Answer: TERPSICHORE ### Explanation: Definition: Dance mistress **Anagram of**(dissolute) PRIEST **plus**(on) CHORE(job,task that is needed to be done) Cryptic defn: Of the muse of dancing (and choral song),dance mistress – "mistress" as in a woman who has the power of controlling or disposing of something at her own pleasure:.

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

### Clue: What Syrinx did in 8? Yielded! (8)

### Answer: RETURNED ### Explanation: Definition: Yielded In myth(answer to 8down), Syrinx, a nymph who did TURN into hollow water REEDs to protect her chastity from Pan, who in turn cut and turned the reeds into his first set of pan pipes. So much for escaping, and thus the exclamation mark after "yielded". Interestingly the word "syringe" is derived from this. Answer: As in yielded,returned from a financial investment.

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

### Clue: Yob getting hold of New Order's 22 garment (6)

### Answer: KIMONO ### Explanation: Definition: garment **Reversal of**(returned,answer to 22across) [OIK(British slang for lout,oaf,yob) **containing**(getting hold of) {N($$n$$ew) + OM(Order of Merit)]. Answer: The Japanese wrap-around garment.

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

### Clue: Unfashionable subject's popular favourites (8)

### Answer: CLASSICS ### Explanation: Definition: popular favourites CLASSIC(not subject to fashion changes,unfashionable) + S(in grammar, abbrev. for subject, part of speech). Edit.note morning after: But see the final .

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

### Clue: Polish writers wanting head of Polish painter (6)

### Answer: RUBENS ### Explanation: Definition: painter RUB(polish) + ENS{"pens",writers **minus**(wanting) P{initial letter(head) of "polish"}

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

### Clue: Receivers receiving setter's payment, initially, in coins (10)

### Answer: FIVEPENCES ### Explanation: Definition: coins FENCES(crooked receivers of stolen goods) **containing**(receiving) [I'VE(setter's,setter has,I have) + P(first letter,initially of "payment")]

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

### Clue: Bulb in lift lifted in house (8)

### Answer: DAFFODIL ### Explanation: Definition: Bulb **Reversal of**(lifted, in a down clue) DOFF(lift, as when you doff your cap) **containing**(in) DAIL(lower house of parliament of the Republic of Ireland). Defn: Of the flowery kind

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

### Clue: Terrorist (cyber-criminal) embracing leaders of Islamic jihad (8)

### Answer: HIJACKER ### Explanation: Definition: Terrorist HACKER(cyber-criminal) **containing**(embracing) [I J](initial letters,leaders of "Islamic jihad") Answer: He/she used to be just a thief, and not a terrorist

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

### Clue: Pasquale, perhaps, cross-culturally cross-dressing, cold and dry (8)

### Answer: SARDONIC ### Explanation: Definition: dry SARI(Indian garment) **containing**(cross) DON(dressing) + C(cold)? Is Pasquale the setter, sardonic? Or "Sardinian"(Italian from the island who might,perhaps be named Pasquale) + ???? + C(cold). That's as far as I got, which is not near enough, so help requested. Edit.note. Thanks and . {SARI(Indian garment,cross-culturally…dressing) **containing**('cross) DON(an example of which,perhaps is Pasquale aka Don Manley, crossword setter)} My excuse for not twigging the DON connection: that sedative from yesterday hasn't worn off 🙂 Edit.note, morning after revision: Thanks to . {DON(an example of which,perhaps is Pasquale aka Don Manley, crossword setter) ***contained in***(…dressing) a SARI(an Indian,cross-culturally, female,cross-dressing garment)} + C($$c$$old).

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-trick artist's creation (4)

### Answer: ICON ### Explanation: Definition: artist's creation I(Roman numeral for one) + CON(as a noun,a trick)

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

### Clue: Yen to interrupt thousandth tall tale? (4)

### Answer: MYTH ### Explanation: Definition: tall tale Y(abbrev. for the Japanese currency) **contained in**(to interrupt) MTH(Mth,thousandth)

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

### Clue: Discouragement of French dramatist adopting recipe (10)

### Answer: DETERRENCE ### Explanation: Definition: Discouragement DE(French for "of") + [TERENCE(name in English for Publius Terentius Afer, dramatist of ancient Rome) **containing**(adopting) R(abbrev. for $$r$$ecipe, and one that has been much discussed in previous blogs!)]

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

### Clue: Feel bad about turning on gas in beleaguered economic area (8)

### Answer: EUROZONE ### Explanation: Definition: beleaguered economic area **Reversal of**(turning) RUE(feel bad about,regret) **placed above**(on, in a down clue) OZONE(gas of tri-oxygen-atom molecules). Answer: Currently area that is economically beleaguered, including the PIGS and perhaps more.

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

### Clue: Kind of ancient Roman people keeping half of 13 confused (8)

### Answer: GENEROUS ### Explanation: Definition: Kind GENS(families,people in ancient Rome claiming descent from a common ancestor) **containing**(keeping) **anagram of**(confused) EURO(half of answer to 13down)

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

### Clue: Hobby generating unearned income (8)

### Answer: INTEREST ### Explanation: Definition: Hobby,unearned income Double defn: 2nd: Income you don't earn by doing anything other than to invest a principal sum and to collect interest, though the taxman may still (or may not) tax 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: 15 circle needing brains to crack this? (6)

### Answer: CLIQUE ### Explanation: Definition: 15 circle IQ(brains, or rather a measure of how much there is) **containing**(to crack) CLUE(this,what you're reading). Answer: An exclusive circle of people from the elite, described by the answer to 15across.

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

### Clue: Idle, maybe, being possessed of infinite riches (4)

### Answer: ERIC ### Explanation: Definition: Idle, maybe **Hidden in**(being possessed of) infinitE RIChes Answer: Eric, comedian and one of those,maybe, with the surname Idle. A nominal gift to crossword setters – if I had a penny ….. I'd have riches, maybe not infinite.

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

### Clue: Weasel docked in colonnade (4)

### Answer: STOA ### Explanation: Definition: colonnade Stoat(weasel) **minus** its last letter,tail(docked).

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

### Clue: Liberal plot captures street opinion (5-6)

### Answer: BROAD-MINDED ### Explanation: Definition: Liberal BED(earthen plot for growing flowers, etc.) **containing**(captures) [ROAD(street) + MIND(opinion, as in "he's of like mind")] Answer: In a general, and not the narrow political, sense.

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

### Clue: For the most part, place is getting right set in (7)

### Answer: LARGELY ### Explanation: Definition: For the most part LAY(to place) **containing**(is getting…in) [R($$r$$ight) + GEL(to set,become firm,solidify, as with, well, gelatine/jelly.

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

### Clue: Twitter has power to upset (7)

### Answer: PRATTLE ### Explanation: Definition: Twitter P(abbrev. for $$p$$ower, especially in physics) + RATTLE(to upset,unnerve)

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

### Clue: Heavenly lilac trees in trouble without a river (9)

### Answer: CELESTIAL ### Explanation: Definition: Heavenly **Anagram of**(in trouble) [LILAC TEES]("lilac trees" **minus**(without) "r"(river)

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

### Clue: God's briefly absorbed by points of morality (5)

### Answer: ETHOS ### Explanation: Definition: morality THO("Thor",Scandinavian god of thunder, lightning and farming) **minus** its last letter,briefly **contained in**(absorbed by) [E & S($$e$$ast & $$s$$outh,points of the compass). I'm wondering whether or not the "'s" is superfluous.

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

### Clue: Show off retro dress (4)

### Answer: BRAG ### Explanation: Definition: Show off **Reversal of**(retro) GARB(dress in general). Nicely misdirecting one to a retro dress like the sack.

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 historian, very sick by end of life, died tormented (10)

### Answer: BEDEVILLED ### Explanation: Definition: tormented BEDE(Saint Bede, 7C monk who wrote the earliest history of England apparently) + V($$v$$ery) + ILL(sick) **plus**(by) E(last letter,end of "life") + D($$d$$ied).

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

### Clue: Athlete's facing disqualification, having hidden drug in vegetable (6,4)

### Answer: RUNNER BEAN ### Explanation: Definition: vegetable RUNNER(athlete) **plus**(facing) BAN(disqualification) **containing**(having hidden…in) E(slang/abbrev. for the drug, ecstasy).

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 who fell for a woman (4)

### Answer: ADAM ### Explanation: Definition: Man who fell A DAM(a woman, specifically the female parent, and especially used for domestic livestock. Defn. and Answer: The first man, who fell to Eve's, first woman's, temptation, and hence fell from grace, in the Bible; and brought all their descendants down with them, so the story goes. Nice surface.

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 reflected on partners' stories (5)

### Answer: YARNS ### Explanation: Definition: stories **Reversal of**(reflected) RAY(man's name) **plus**(on) [N & S](in bridge notation, the partners occupying the $$n$$orth and $$s$$outh positions).

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

### Clue: Eavesdrops on revolutionary Leninists (7,2)

### Answer: LISTENS IN ### Explanation: Definition: Eavesdrops on **Anagram of**(revolutionary) LENINISTS

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

### Clue: Dozing professor's brought round by sound of bell (7)

### Answer: NODDING ### Explanation: Definition: Dozing **Reversal of**(brought round) DON(professor at a university) **plus**(by) DING(sound of a bell).

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

### Clue: Do away with old boy by way of note (7)

### Answer: OBVIATE ### Explanation: Definition: Do away with OB(abbrev. for $$o$$ld $$b$$oy) + VIA(by way of) + TE(or ti, in music, the syllable for the seventh note of the diatonic scale).

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

### Clue: Brewed mild ales 'ere in Ireland (7,4)

### Answer: EMERALD ISLE ### Explanation: Definition: Ireland **Anagram of**(brewed, perfect indicator for the surface) MILD ALES 'ERE. Answer: The poetic name for Ireland due to its green countryside (lots of 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: Writer of book on Queen has ably represented popular link (5,10)

### Answer: BERYL BAINBRIDGE ### Explanation: Definition: Writer B(abbrev. for $$b$$ook) **plus**(on) ER(the Queen,$$E$$lizabeth $$R$$egina) **plus**(has) ***anagram of*** or **reversal of**(re–presented, note the hyphen) ABLY + IN(popular,fashionable) BRIDGE(link from one side to another). Answer: English authoress, Whitbread Award winner, and Booker Prize nominee.

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 as instructed by old governors (5)

### Answer: OBEYS ### Explanation: Definition: Does as instructed O(abbrev. for $$o$$ld) **plus**(by) BEYS(formerly, provincial governors of the Ottoman Empire).

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

### Clue: DIY team worked in light (7)

### Answer: DAYTIME ### Explanation: Definition: light **Anagram of**(worked) DIY TEAM.

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

### Clue: Stimulus of 50% off mink raised heart rate! (7)

### Answer: IMPULSE ### Explanation: Definition: Stimulus **Reversal of**(raised) MI("mink" **minus** "nk",2 letters out of 4,50% off) + PULSE(heart rate).

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

### Clue: Sugar-intolerant little girl has help with sick heart (8)

### Answer: DIABETIC ### Explanation: Definition: Sugar-intolerant DI(little girl, Diana in full) **plus**(has) ABET(to help) **plus**(with) IC(middle letters,heart of "sick").

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 scheduled teams for treatment for tree blight (5,3,7)

### Answer: DUTCH ELM DISEASE ### Explanation: Definition: tree blight **Anagram of**(for treatment) I SCHEDULED TEAMS. Nice surface of tree surgeons 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: Gleaning fruits of smart communication? (13)

### Answer: BLACKBERRYING ### Explanation: Definition: Gleaning fruits Cryptic defn: Of communication with the Blackberry smartphone. And the One Ronnie has 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: Doctor's patient demeanour? (7,6)

### Answer: BEDSIDE MANNER ### Explanation: Definition: Doctor's patient demeanour Cryptic defn: The demeanour,beheaviour of a doctor when attending to a patient, whether the latter is lying in bed or not – not something they teach at medical school?, judging by some of the doctors I've been treated by 🙂

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

### Clue: Dad in Paris tears round in sweat (8)

### Answer: PERSPIRE ### Explanation: Definition: sweat **Reversal of**(round) RIPS(tears) **containing**(in) PERE(French word for "father",dad, heard in Paris).

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

### Clue: British lagoon designed for Italian city (7)

### Answer: BOLOGNA ### Explanation: Definition: Italian city **Anagram of**(designed) [B(abbrev. for $$B$$ritish) + LAGOON].

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

### Clue: Run away with sailors to fish round Norway (7)

### Answer: ABSCOND ### Explanation: Definition: Run away ABS(plural of abbrev. for $$a$$ble-$$b$$odied seaman,sailors) **plus**(to) [COD(fish) **containing**(round) N(International Vehicle Registration code for Norway).

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

### Clue: Conjure a vision to show the Glastonbury man (5)

### Answer: EAVIS ### Explanation: Definition: the Glastonbury man **Hidden in**(to show) conjurE A VISiion. Answer: Athelstan Joseph Michael Eavis, in full, English dairy farmer who started the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts (in full) or the Glastonbury or Glasto held annually at his farm (though not in 2012). No link at all to the Glastonbury Festivals of 1914-1925, of more classical performing arts.

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

### Clue: Typical of a girl taking Latin (6)

### Answer: NORMAL ### Explanation: Definition: Typical NORMA(name of a girl) **plus**(taking) L(abbrev. for $$L$$atin)

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

### Clue: Reserve the best for dessert (3,5)

### Answer: ICE CREAM ### Explanation: Definition: dessert ICE(the coolness,reserve of someone who is aloof) + CREAM(the best,tops)

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 isn't different inside a Native American people's college (9)

### Answer: INSTITUTE ### Explanation: Definition: college {**Anagram of**(different) ISN'T **contained in**(inside) IT} + UTE(Native American Indian people of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, related to the Aztecs).

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 appropriate for Peto to sleep with model (5)

### Answer: INAPT ### Explanation: Definition: It's not appropriate I(the setter,Peto) + NAP(to sleep) **plus**(with) T(name of one of the earliest models of cars made by the Ford company) .

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

### Clue: Essential to end Aretha's challenge (4)

### Answer: DARE ### Explanation: Definition: challenge **Hidden in**(essential to,necessary part of) enD AREtha's.

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

### Clue: On the outskirts of Omaruru wasted food rots in the open air (3-2-5)

### Answer: OUT-OF-DOORS ### Explanation: Definition: in the open air OU(first and last letters,outskirts of "Omaruru", in Namibia if you want to know) + **anagram of**(wasted) FOOD ROTS. Answer: Before it became shortened to "outdoors".

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

### Clue: Steal Pat's dog (7)

### Answer: WHIPPET ### Explanation: Definition: dog WHIP(to steal) + PET(to pat as an expression of affection).

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

### Clue: Upset by malicious woman's game (6)

### Answer: TIPCAT ### Explanation: Definition: game TIP(upset,overturn) + CAT(a malicious woman, literally or metaphorically scratching and biting like, well, a cat). Answer: Old-fashioned outdoor game, which some say is the fore-runner of rounders and cricket, but with a bat and piecce of wood (the cat).

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

### Clue: Tasteless jewellery pocketed by South American of high rank (6)

### Answer: STATUS ### Explanation: Definition: of high rank TAT(tasteless articles, eg. jewellery, derived from "tatty",cheap and vulgar) **contained in**(pocketed by) S($$S$$outh) + US(United States,American). Answer: Used as an adjective to confer a real or apparent elevated,high rank, eg. a status job, car or symbol.

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

### Clue: Talk idly about her taking in a race (7)

### Answer: CHATTER ### Explanation: Definition: Talk idly C(abbrev. for circa,about) + HER **containing**(taking in) TT(abbrev. for the International $$T$$ourist $$T$$rophy Race for motorcyles held on the Isle of Man; or, if you prefer, a $$t$$ime $$t$$rial race where competitors are individually timed and their times compared, in other words racing against the clock rather than others.

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

### Clue: Everybody hates me dithering even so (3,3,4)

### Answer: ALL THE SAME ### Explanation: Definition: even so ALL(everybody) + **anagram of**(dithering) HATES ME.

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

### Clue: Come to an end before the opening of parliament (4)

### Answer: DIET ### Explanation: Definition: parliament DIE(expire,come to an end) **plus**(before) T(first letter,opening of "the"). Answer: The legislative body,parliament of certain countries, eg. Japan.

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

### Clue: Niece oddly neglected after servant becomes deranged (5)

### Answer: MANIC ### Explanation: Definition: deranged IC("niece" **minus** first,third and fifth letters,oddly neglected) ***placed after***(after) MAN(male servant).

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 complete change of opinion on the subject of spin (5,4)

### Answer: ABOUT TURN ### Explanation: Definition: A complete change of opinion ABOUT(on the subject of,regarding) TURN(spin).

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

### Clue: Good-humoured requests by a social worker (8)

### Answer: PLEASANT ### Explanation: Definition: Good-humoured PLEAS(requests) **plus**(by) ANT(a social insect, one which might belong to the worker caste within its society).