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: Fireplace contains Ulster stone (7)	### Answer: GRANITE ### Explanation: Definition: stone GRATE(a fireplace) containing(contains) NI(abbrev. for $$N$$orthern $$I$$reland, loosely and not uncontroversially refered to as Ulster).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Corrupt grown-up English count (10)	### Answer: ADULTERATE ### Explanation: Definition: Corrupt ADULT(grown-up) + E(abbrev. for $$E$$nglish) + RATE(to count for,to matter,to be worthy of, as in "this hotel does not rate four stars".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Illicit drugs found in storage area (4)	### Answer: GEAR ### Explanation: Definition: Illicit drugs Hidden in(found in) storaGE ARea. Answer: Slang for illicit drugs.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Terrible end of term for taletellers (5)	### Answer: GRIMM ### Explanation: Definition: taletellers GRIM(terrible,dire) + M(last letter, end of "term"). Answer: The Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, German tellers of folk tales/fairy tales.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Set off for school in time (8)	### Answer: DETONATE ### Explanation: Definition: Set off ETON(College, one of the English public schools) contained in(in) DATE(a 24-hour period in time). 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: Measure appropriate for Cockneys (4-4)	### Answer: HALF-INCH ### Explanation: Definition: appropriate for Cockneys A measure of length, about 13mm. Answer: In Cockney rhyming slang, "half-inch" or "'alf-inch" stands for "pinch",to appropriate,steal.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Head of showroom has demanding piece of pottery (5)	### Answer: SHARD ### Explanation: Definition: piece of pottery S(first letter,head of "showroom") plus(has) HARD(demanding of,no piece of cake).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Mark enters relationship for a while (4)	### Answer: TIME ### Explanation: Definition: while M(abbrev. for $$m$$ark) contained in(enters) TIE(a connection,relationship). Answer: As in "they have been gone for quite a while/time".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Barristers sing the French song (10)	### Answer: BARCAROLLE ### Explanation: Definition: song BAR(the collective noun for the practising barristers in a given community) + CAROL(to sing, especially Christmas songs or hymns) + LE(the definite article, "the" in French). Answer: A boating song of the Venetian gondoliers, or a piece of music in that sytle. Alternatively spelled as "barcarole".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Careworn writer (7)	### Answer: HAGGARD ### Explanation: Definition: Careworn,writer Double defn: 1st: A physical appearance resulting from being careworn,fatigued by trouble and worry; and 2nd: Rider, English writer of adventure stories, including "King Solomon's Mines".
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 admits English ceremonial is appropriate (7)	### Answer: MERITED ### Explanation: Definition: appropriate MD(abbrev. for $$D$$octor of $$M$$edicine) containing(admits) E($$E$$nglish) + RITE(ceremonial as a noun, as in "the ceremonial of a church wedding").
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Biblical queen? There's trouble! (6)	### Answer: ESTHER ### Explanation: Definition: Biblical queen *Anagram of*(trouble) THERE'S. Answer: In the Bible. a Jewish queen to the king of Persia.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Tension is beginning to smash lock (6)	### Answer: STRESS ### Explanation: Definition: Tension S(first letter of,beginning to "smash") + TRESS(a lock of 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: Penny submitted material (5)	### Answer: PLAID ### Explanation: Definition: material P(abbrev. for the $$p$$enny) + LAID(presented,submitted for consideration, as in "I laid/submitted my case before the committee").
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Teaching flower arrangement to rock singer? (7)	### Answer: LORELEI ### Explanation: Definition: rock singer LORE(the knowledge,teaching that is traditionally handed down the generations) + LEI(an arrangement of flowers as a garland worn round the neck, from the Hawaiian language). Defn. and Answer: Alternatively spelled as Loreley. Legendary German feminite water spirit similar to the Sirens,singers of Greek mythology, associated with the Loreley, a rock on the eastern bank of the Rhine. I liked the defn.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Star named dreadful artisan (9)	### Answer: TRADESMAN ### Explanation: Definition: artisan Anagram of(dreadful) STAR NAMED. Answer: A man who has a trade or craft,an artisan.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Mysterious English lake (5)	### Answer: EERIE ### Explanation: Definition: Mysterious E($$E$$nglish – the third appearance) + ERIE(one of the Great Lakes in the North American continent).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: In the middle of the day horse is in shape (7)	### Answer: NONAGON ### Explanation: Definition: shape NOON(the time that is the middle of the day) containing(in…is) NAG(a horse, especially an inferior or worthless one). Answer: A geometrical closed shape having nine sides and angles.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Diminished worth of pamphlet during performance (9)	### Answer: DETRACTED ### Explanation: Definition: Diminished worth TRACT(a pamphlet,brief treatise for general distribution, usually with a reliigious or political content) contained in(during) DEED(something that's done,performed). Answer: Past tense of to take away part of,diminish something/someone's value,worth.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Caution astute cheat (4,5)	### Answer: CARD SHARP ### Explanation: Definition: cheat CARD(the yellow card shown to a footballer after he/she has committed a foul, as a caution that the next foul will result in he/she being sent to the showers) + SHARP(astute,smart). A 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: Six in regatta tragically sink (9)	### Answer: GRAVITATE ### Explanation: Definition: sink VI(Roman numeral for six) contained in(in) anagram of(tragically) REGATTA. Answer: To sink to earth, under the force of gravity. It could also mean to move to a figurative source of attraction, but then it would not necessarily be to sink.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Will set-up subdue conservationists? (9)	### Answer: TESTAMENT ### Explanation: Definition: Will Reversal of(up, in a down clue) SET + TAME(to subdue,tone down,domesticate a wild or unruly being, eg. Shakespeare's Kate) + NT(abbrev. for the $$N$$ational $$T$$rust, an organisation dedicated to preserving,conserving the cultural or environmental treasures of a region. First organisation was for England/Wales/N.Ireland, but now similar ones are to be found in other regions and countries.
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 carrying soldier into battle (7)	### Answer: FREIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: Charge for carrying RE(abbrev. for a member,soldier of the $$R$$oyal $$E$$ngineers) contained in(into) FIGHT(battle).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: At once I disposed of poison (7)	### Answer: ACONITE ### Explanation: Definition: poison Anagram of(disposed of) AT ONCE I. Answer: A poison derived from plants of the genus Aconitum. Highly toxic, but also used after processing or in very small doses in Indian and Chinese medicine. And some are grown as ornamental garden plants! A 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: Carried pole through tunnel (5)	### Answer: BORNE ### Explanation: Definition: Carried N(abbrev. for the $$n$$orth pole) contained in(through) BORE(a tunnel,hole made by boring through).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Shelter detective in Yorkshire (5)	### Answer: LEEDS ### Explanation: Definition: in Yorkshire LEE(the part or side that is sheltered from the wind) + DS(abbrev. for detective sergeant). Answer: The city in Yorkshire.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: In which poor income is choking firm and credit is squeezed (8,6)	### Answer: ECONOMIC CRISIS ### Explanation: Definition: In which poor income is choking firm and credit is squeezed [CR(abbrev. for credit) + IS] contained in(squeezed) {anagram of(poor) [INCOME IS] containing(choking) CO(abbrev. for company,firm)}. Defn: A WIWD($$w$$ordplay $$i$$ntertwined $$w$$ith $$d$$efinition) clue – describing two symptoms of an economic crisis. Nice, even though the answer is not difficult to get.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: She used to come out with it in entry on left (5)	### Answer: DEBIT ### Explanation: Definition: entry on left DEB(short for debutante, a young girl introduced to society,come out in a grand occasion, basically signalling she's ready for it – does "used" mean this practice is defunct now?) plus(with) IT. Answer: In accountancy, specifically double-entry book-keeping, a debits was/is traditionally an entry on the left side, and a credit on the right – in a mostly right-handed species, the left-hand more often than not takes the rap!
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Director oddly upset by these changes in household cover (9)	### Answer: DUSTSHEET ### Explanation: Definition: household cover D(abbrev. for director) + U,S,T(the letters in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th positions,oddly of "upset") plus(by) anagram of(changes) THESE. Answer: What is used to cover the furniture, etc. in a household, if they're to be left undusted for a long time.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Half an hour in local, drunk on this (7)	### Answer: ALCOHOL ### Explanation: Definition: this HO(half of the letters in "hour") *contained in(in) anagram of*(drunk) LOCAL. A nice surface and WIWD.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Pilot is not visiting each country (7)	### Answer: ESTONIA ### Explanation: Definition: country Anagram of(pilot, as in to steer) [IS NOT] contained in(visiting) EA(abbrev. for each).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Antisocial guy finally read short book (5)	### Answer: DWEEB ### Explanation: Definition: Antisocial guy D(last letter of,finally "read") + WEE(small,short in length, area or volume) + B(abbrev. for book). Answer: Slang for an eccentric person or one awkward in a social evironment , antisocial in that sense, and not in the pathological sense, which would be too harsh a 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: He's taken in for a pill dissolved with oxygen (5,4)	### Answer: APRIL FOOL ### Explanation: Definition: He's taken in Anagram of(dissolved) [FOR A PILL] containing(dissolved with) O(chemical symbol for the element, oxygen).
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 winds in Blackburn? (3,6)	### Answer: JET STREAM ### Explanation: Definition: High winds JET(black) + STREAM(a small river or brook,burn). Answer: In meteorology, the layer, about 12000 metres high, of strong,high winds.
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 writer's material (5)	### Answer: DENIM ### Explanation: Definition: material DEN(a study,a quiet room where you could study, if you wanted to) + I'M{a contraction of "I am",writer(I) is,writer'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: Tyrannical leader usurps king in horrific chamber piece (7)	### Answer: MACBETH ### Explanation: Definition: piece T(initial letter,leader of "tyrannical" *replacing(usurps) "r"(abbrev. for Rex in Latin,king) in anagram of*(horrific) "chamber". Answer: A play,piece by Shakespeare. Another WIWD clue as the clue describes Macbeth's deed.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: First sailor to lose a rope at sea hasn't a chance (2-5)	### Answer: NO-HOPER ### Explanation: Definition: hasn't a chance NOH{"Noah"(in Genesis, he – and family – was the first human to float,first sailor, in an ark in the great flood, when all the other non-sailors perished) minus(to lose) "a"} + anagram of(at sea) ROPE.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Note fruit that's right outside little Jack's place (2,1,6)	### Answer: IN A CORNER ### Explanation: Definition: little Jack's place [IE(abbrev. for $$i$$d $$e$$st, Latin for that is,that's) + R(abbrev. for right)] containing(outside) [N(abbrev. for a note) + ACORN(fruit of the oak tree)]. Answer: Reference to the nursery rhyme about little Jack Horner, who sat in a corner, eating….. It has been interpreted as referring to acts of opportunism by various characters.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: National flag on Howth Head (5)	### Answer: IRISH ### Explanation: Definition: National IRIS(some of the species of iris plants are commonly called flags, eg. the blue flag, the iris versicolour) plus(on) H(initial letter,head of "Howth"). Answer: A national,citizen of 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: Secure, like boltholes for spies when hiding (2,4,2,6)	### Answer: AS SAFE AS HOUSES ### Explanation: Definition: Secure AS(like, as used in a simile like this) + SAFE HOUSES(hiding places,boltholes for spies on the run) containing(…hiding) AS(as in "as and when"). A WIWD clue.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Volume of copper piece holding constant charge (5,4)	### Answer: CUBIC FEET ### Explanation: Definition: Volume [CU(chemical symbol for the element, copper)] + BIT(a piece) containing(holding) [C(mathematical symbol for a constant number) + FEE(a charge for a service rendered)]. Answer: Pre-metrication, a measure of volume in the Imperial system.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Nick's where Dawkins goes on Sunday? (5)	### Answer: NOTCH ### Explanation: Definition: Nick Cryptic defn: Reference to Englishman Richard Dawkins, leading atheist, ethologist, evolutionary biologist, a joy-to-read author and presenter, who has helped to raise the awareness and level of scientific knowledge in modern societies. He might go any place but NOT CHurch on Sundays.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Spread roughly between two and three scores (6,3)	### Answer: MIDDLE AGE ### Explanation: Definition: Spread Cryptic defn. (I think, or it could be a double defn.): The extra weight (fat?) spread around the middle of your body that you tend to get when you're roughly between 40 (two score) and 60(three score) years old (cf. the biblical "the days of our years are threescore years and ten").
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Modest hotel snubbed Brahmans for instance (5)	### Answer: CASTE ### Explanation: Definition: Brahmans for instance "chaste",modest, as usually applied to females minus(…snubbed) H(represented by "hotel" in the phonetic alphabet). Answer: Or Brahmins, members of the highest, or priestly, class in the caste system of the Hindus.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Broken street light moved elsewhere (9)	### Answer: RESETTLED ### Explanation: Definition: moved elsewhere [Anagram of(broken) STREET] + LED(abbrev. for $$l$$ight $$e$$mitting $$d$$iode, an increasingly common replacement for the bulb).
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 actor? (5)	### Answer: SHEEN ### Explanation: Definition: Polish,actor Double defn: 1st: The gleaming brightness obtained by polishing; and 2nd: Martin, or his son, Charlie, American actors, take your pick.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Leave port in Kent, say, with a list corrected (3,4)	### Answer: SET SAIL ### Explanation: Definition: Leave port SE(abbrev. for the South East region of England, of which for example,say, Kent is part) plus(with) anagram of(corrected) A LIST.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: He wed a wild racy divorcee for starters (6)	### Answer: EDWARD ### Explanation: Definition: He Anagram of(wild) [WED A] + R,D(initial letters of,for starters "racy" and "divorcee")
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Punter away getting richer (6,3)	### Answer: BETTER OFF ### Explanation: Definition: getting richer BETTER(a punter,layer of bets) + OFF(away from 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: Supporter in Colosseum from anarchist group (5,4)	### Answer: ROMAN ARCH ### Explanation: Definition: Supporter in Colosseum *Hidden in*(…group) fROM ANARCHist. Answer: A feature that supports a load in a building , in this case, the Roman Colosseum.
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 help one drunk to swallow old grape nut (9)	### Answer: OENOPHILE ### Explanation: Definition: grape nut Anagram of(drunk) [I HELP ONE] containing(to swallow) O(abbrev. for "old"). Answer: The suffix -phile indicating a nut,fan,connoisseur, or just someone who enjoys "the grape",wine, represented by the prefix oeno-.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Judge, one replacing monarch in US island (7)	### Answer: JAMAICA ### Explanation: Definition: island J(abbrev. for judge) + {"America"(US) with "a"(one) *replacing*(replacing) "ER"(current British monarch, $$E$$lizabeth $$R$$egina)}
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: He split, leaving Humphrey to get mashed potato (6)	### Answer: MURPHY ### Explanation: Definition: potato Anagram of(mashed) UMPHRY("Humphrey" minus(….leaving) ("h" and "e")("he" split, ie. not subtracting "he" as a single word, but the individual letters)]. Answer: The Irish or white potato.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Head of coaching has boxing ring in disarray (5)	### Answer: CHAOS ### Explanation: Definition: disarray C(initial letter,head of "coaching") + [HAS containing(boxing) O(letter in the shape of a ring)].
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Stainer numbers tackled by male alto (5)	### Answer: HENNA ### Explanation: Definition: Stainer N,N(2 abbrevs. for $$n$$umber) contained in(tackled by) [HE(pronoun for a male) + A(abbrev. for alto)]. Answer: A reddish-orange dye,stainer for hair, skin, fingernails, leather and wool, from the henna plant.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Poem has always intrigued Kyoto union bosses (5)	### Answer: HAIKU ### Explanation: Definition: Poem Initial letters,bosses of Has Always Intrigued Kyoto Union. Answer: A poem (could even be in English) in the Haiku style, a very short form of Japanese poetry. Another WIWD clue.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Prepare to beat up silly person (4)	### Answer: DODO ### Explanation: Definition: silly person DO(prepare, as in "I'll do the salad") + DO(to beat up a person, in English slang). Answer: A derogatory term for a silly person.
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 best spades – mountaineers might need them (3,5)	### Answer: ICE PICKS ### Explanation: Definition: mountaineers might need them ICE(coolness, or even coldness,reserve, in contrast to warmth towards another being) + PICK(the best, as in "pick of the crop") + S(abbrev. for spades, the playing card suit).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Group of females two men insist gets changed in front of truck (6,9)	### Answer: WOMEN’S INSTITUTE ### Explanation: Definition: Group of females Anagram of(gets changed) TWO MEN INSIST placed before(in front of) UTE(short for a utility vehicle,truck). Answer: Often referred to by its abbrev., the WI, the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK, providing members with educational opportunities, the chance to take part in wide variety of activities, and to campaign for women's welfare.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Cuban radar at sea missing navy's fearsome swimmer (9)	### Answer: BARRACUDA ### Explanation: Definition: fearsome swimmer Anagram of(at sea) CUBA RADAR{"Cuban radar" minus(missing) "n"(abbrev. for navy)}.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Carry child 1back to house (4)	### Answer: TOTE ### Explanation: Definition: Carry TOT(small child) + E(last letter of,back to "house').
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 late in catching male's illness (7)	### Answer: AILMENT ### Explanation: Definition: illness Anagram of(doctor) LATE IN containing(catching) M(abbrev. for the male 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: Take issue (6)	### Answer: KIDNAP ### Explanation: Definition: Take issue Cryptic defn: The issue,child is "kid", and the whole word denotes to snatch,take for the purpose of extorting a ransom, but kidnapping is not restricted to your kid. The –nap suffix is now used in words like artnap, starnap, petnap (not to be confused with catnap) or anything-valuable-nap.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Head of ENT came prepared to contain unknown skin disease (6)	### Answer: ECZEMA ### Explanation: Definition: skin disease E(initial letter,head of "ENT") + [anagram of(prepared) CAME containing(to contain) Z(a symbol for an unknown quantity in mathematics, together with X and Y)].
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Flag raised; wind lessened to an extent (7)	### Answer: DWINDLE ### Explanation: Definition: Flag Hidden in(to an extent) raiseD WIND LEssened.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Chap eating hot rabbit (4)	### Answer: CHAT ### Explanation: Definition: rabbit CAT(slang for a chap,man, doubly so if he is a devotee of jazz) containing(eating) H(abbrev. for hot). Defn: To talk inconsequently,chat, from rhyming slang "rabbit and pork"/"talk".
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 check around and look for a place to sit (4,5)	### Answer: DECK CHAIR ### Explanation: Definition: a place to sit D(abbrev. for daughter) + anagram of(around) CHECK plus(and) AIR(a look,demeanour of a person).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Straw was damaged in strong fire – I'm storing last of rye (7,8)	### Answer: FOREIGN MINISTER ### Explanation: Definition: Straw was Anagram of(damaged) [IN STRONG FIRE – I'M] containing(storing) E(last letter of "rye"). Answer: What John (but goes by "Jack") was for the UK from 2001-2006. Not to be confused with another Jack Straw, one of the leaders of the 14C Peasants' Revolt in England (a nod to the latter by the former? or self-styling by the former, if you want to be ungenerous?
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Engaged again; calmly submissive (8)	### Answer: RESIGNED ### Explanation: Definition: calmly submissive RE-SIGNED(with the hyphen, could mean to sign on again,engaged again, as in "P is not re-signing with his football club, …"). Answer: Without the hyphen, calmly submissive,accepting without resistance, as in "…and the club is resigned to 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: Tiger's first hit bunker (4)	### Answer: TRAP ### Explanation: Definition: bunker T(initial letter,…'s first of "Tiger") + RAP(hit,knock). Defn: A sand trap,hazard on the golf course, where even Tiger Woods sometimes finds himself in – he's only human after all.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Conductor is likely to make this movement relaxed (8)	### Answer: DOWNBEAT ### Explanation: Definition: Conductor is likely to make this movement,relaxed Double defn:. 1st: The downward movement of an orchestra's conductor's baton to indicate the first accented beat of a measure; and 2nd: Descriptive of someone who is unstressed – and not causing stress either.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Almost bashful objection (5)	### Answer: DEMUR ### Explanation: Definition: objection "Demure",bashful, as with innocent and young maidens minus its last letter,almost. Nice surface. Answer: Used as a noun, an objection that has been raised, eg. in a law court.
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 of Staff to dismiss cavalryman (7)	### Answer: COSSACK ### Explanation: Definition: cavalryman COS(abbrev. of $$C$$hief $$o$$f $$S$$taff in the military) + SACK(to dismiss,fire from an appointment). Answer: Also adept at dancing.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Newspaper editor on tour – something that makes an impression on the board (7,7)	### Answer: PRINTED CIRCUIT ### Explanation: Definition: something that makes an impression on the board PRINT(a printed publication, such as a newspaper or magazine) + ED(abbrev. for editor – and a few other things) placed above(on, in a down clue) CIRCUIT(the route taken for a roundtrip,tour).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Try to pull cart up enclosed area (9)	### Answer: COURTYARD ### Explanation: Definition: enclosed area COURT(the old fashioned word for trying to attract,pull, in the situation where the object is of the opposite sex) + reversal of(up, in a down clue) DRAY(a cart for carrying heavy loads).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Use needle and thread to cover the small hole (4)	### Answer: STEW ### Explanation: Definition: hole SEW(use needle and thread) containing(to cover) T'(contraction,small of "the"). Answer: A difficult position to find oneself in,a (figurative) hole.
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 of the match's gift? (10,4)	### Answer: ENGAGEMENT RING ### Explanation: Definition: Man of the match's gift Cryptic defn: The gift from the man who is considered a suitable candidate,a match for the woman receiving the gift, with the prospect of marriage,the next match. The MOTM phrase is from sporting events.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Game's tense after animosity (6)	### Answer: PIQUET ### Explanation: Definition: Game T(abbrev. for the grammatical tense) placed below(after) PIQUE(a feeling of irritation or resentment,perhaps a mild animosity). Answer: A card game for 2 players, not with a full deck – the cards, not the players.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Fight rugby player – cut head to toe (4,5)	### Answer: LOCK HORNS ### Explanation: Definition: Fight LOCK(or lock forward, a rugby player in either of the 2 positions in the middle of the second row of the scrum) + HORNS("shorn",cut with its initial letter,head moved to the other end,its toe, in a down clue).
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 then collapse? Sign of distress (8)	### Answer: TEARDROP ### Explanation: Definition: Sign of distress TEAR(run quickly) plus(then) DROP(collapse).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Someone desperate to enter stake – but not quickly (7)	### Answer: ANDANTE ### Explanation: Definition: not quickly DAN(reference to Desperate Dan, a character in the British comic, The Dandy, and its successor) contained in(to enter) ANTE{the amount of money,stake each poker player contributes to the pool, before (hence "ante") the cards are dealt, and also the amount representing the share any one participant has in a joint venture}. An amusing surface of a reluctant poker player down on his/her luck and money. Answer: A musical direction to play in a moderately slow tempo,not quickly.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Lying tethered up outside church (6)	### Answer: DECEIT ### Explanation: Definition: Lying Reversal of(up, in a down clue) TIED(tethered) containing(outside) CE(abbrev. for $$C$$hurch of $$E$$ngland). Defn: As a noun.
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 female rejected? He might not (5)	### Answer: ACTOR ### Explanation: Definition: He, might not "factor"{one of the elements,part contributing to a consequence, as in "morale was a factor in their success" minus(rejected) "f"(abbrev. for the female sex)}. Answer: The he in the clue who might accept,not reject, a role,a part. A nice WIWD(wordplay intertwined with definition) clue.
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 passenger leaving employee's tip at a distance (4)	### Answer: AFAR ### Explanation: Definition: at a distance A + FAR("fare",a paying passenger, as in "a taxi fare", minus(leaving) E(initial letter,…'s tip of "employee").
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Draw small sailing boat (6)	### Answer: SKETCH ### Explanation: Definition: Draw,small sailing boat Double defn.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Student is barred from entire contest (7)	### Answer: COMPETE ### Explanation: Definition: contest "complete",entire minus(is barred) "l"(abbrev. for Student). Answer: As a verb
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: To Iran via Barking, for a change (9)	### Answer: VARIATION ### Explanation: Definition: change Anagram of(Barking) TO IRAN VIA.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Discourage TV serial killer, withholding kiss (5)	### Answer: DETER ### Explanation: Definition: Discourage "Dexter"(serial killer in TV serial of the same name) minus(withholding) "x",symbol for a kiss, with which this setter signs off her comments.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Hodgson has a side, which is magnificent! (5)	### Answer: ROYAL ### Explanation: Definition: magnificent ROY(Hodgson,England's football manager) plus(has) L(abbrev. for the left side). Answer: Befitting of, or appropriate to a sovereign. A WIWD (wordplay intertwined with defin.) clue, with the side being the English 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: Sailor undoing a satin bow (9)	### Answer: BOATSWAIN ### Explanation: Definition: Sailor Anagram of(undoing) A SATIN BOW. Answer: Usually shortened to "bosun", a "coxswain", another member of a ship's crew, is also shortened, as in a recent TV presenter's commentary of a medal ceremony: "Ah, isn't that nice, the wife of the IOC president is hugging the cox of the British crew."
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Permit freedom for poet (7)	### Answer: LICENCE ### Explanation: Definition: Permit Cryptic defn: Reference to "poetic licence"(freedom for poet to take liberties linguistically). If you ignore that the 2 parts of the clue mean basically the same thing, you have a double defn.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Sailor returned to invade African nation that is an island (6)	### Answer: TOBAGO ### Explanation: Definition: an island Reversal of(returned) AB(abbrev. for able-bodied seaman,a Sailor) contained in(to invade) TOGO(an African nation). Answer: An island in the Caribbean which with Trinidad form an archipelago state.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Concentrating on camping? (6)	### Answer: INTENT ### Explanation: Definition: Concentrating Cryptic defn: camping is when you temporarily sleep IN a TENT.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Shake when stomach is pumped and milk is found in it (7)	### Answer: SHUDDER ### Explanation: Definition: Shake SH,"stomach" minus its internal letters(is pumped) plus(and) UDDER(where milk is to be found).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Revolutionary Basques steal beer? Fancy! (9)	### Answer: ELABORATE ### Explanation: Definition: Fancy Reversal of(Revolutionary) [ETA(abbrev. for an organisation of armed Basques, themselves revolutionary) + ROB(steal) + ALE(beer)]. Answer: Descriptive of something ornate, complex and detailed, in other words, Fancy).
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 be chubby (5)	### Answer: PLUMP ### Explanation: Definition: Choose,chubby Double defn: 1st: To Choose, elect, or support one out of a group, as "the electorate plumped for the Independent candidate". First of 3 answers in the SE quarter related to weightiness.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Doorman skinned cat (5)	### Answer: OUNCE ### Explanation: Definition: cat "bouncer"(Doorman for a nightclub, say, to keep out undesirable would-be customers) minus its outer letters(skinned). And everyone knows you've got to be mean and cruel to be a bouncer. Answer: The snow leopard, a pet amongst setters.
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, alcohol and feasts regularly causing slight corpulence (9)	### Answer: PUDGINESS ### Explanation: Definition: slight corpulence PUD(short for pudding,an English term for the Dessert course, whether or not it's a pudding) + GIN( ) + ESS[second, fourth and sixth letters(regularly) of "feasts"]. Defn: "slight" might be an understatement 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: Rubbish initially bunged in outbuilding (7)	### Answer: GARBAGE ### Explanation: Definition: Rubbish B[initial letter of(initially) "bunged"] contained in(in) GARAGE(an outbuilding to house your vehicle, or more commonly, stuff you don't want any more, but yet cannot bear to dispose of, ie. Rubbish). Which makes it another WIWD clue.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Section of Liebestod — generally heavy stuff (6)	### Answer: STODGE ### Explanation: Definition: heavy stuff Hidden in(Section of) LiebeSTOD — GEnerally.

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

### Clue: Fireplace contains Ulster stone (7)

### Answer: GRANITE ### Explanation: Definition: stone GRATE(a fireplace) **containing**(contains) NI(abbrev. for $$N$$orthern $$I$$reland, loosely and not uncontroversially refered to as Ulster).

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

### Clue: Corrupt grown-up English count (10)

### Answer: ADULTERATE ### Explanation: Definition: Corrupt ADULT(grown-up) + E(abbrev. for $$E$$nglish) + RATE(to count for,to matter,to be worthy of, as in "this hotel does not rate four stars".

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

### Clue: Illicit drugs found in storage area (4)

### Answer: GEAR ### Explanation: Definition: Illicit drugs **Hidden in**(found in) storaGE ARea. Answer: Slang for illicit drugs.

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

### Clue: Terrible end of term for taletellers (5)

### Answer: GRIMM ### Explanation: Definition: taletellers GRIM(terrible,dire) + M(last letter, end of "term"). Answer: The Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, German tellers of folk tales/fairy tales.

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

### Clue: Set off for school in time (8)

### Answer: DETONATE ### Explanation: Definition: Set off ETON(College, one of the English public schools) **contained in**(in) DATE(a 24-hour period in time). 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: Measure appropriate for Cockneys (4-4)

### Answer: HALF-INCH ### Explanation: Definition: appropriate for Cockneys A measure of length, about 13mm. Answer: In Cockney rhyming slang, "half-inch" or "'alf-inch" stands for "pinch",to appropriate,steal.

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

### Clue: Head of showroom has demanding piece of pottery (5)

### Answer: SHARD ### Explanation: Definition: piece of pottery S(first letter,head of "showroom") **plus**(has) HARD(demanding of,no piece of cake).

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

### Clue: Mark enters relationship for a while (4)

### Answer: TIME ### Explanation: Definition: while M(abbrev. for $$m$$ark) **contained in**(enters) TIE(a connection,relationship). Answer: As in "they have been gone for quite a while/time".

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

### Clue: Barristers sing the French song (10)

### Answer: BARCAROLLE ### Explanation: Definition: song BAR(the collective noun for the practising barristers in a given community) + CAROL(to sing, especially Christmas songs or hymns) + LE(the definite article, "the" in French). Answer: A boating song of the Venetian gondoliers, or a piece of music in that sytle. Alternatively spelled as "barcarole".

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

### Clue: Careworn writer (7)

### Answer: HAGGARD ### Explanation: Definition: Careworn,writer Double defn: 1st: A physical appearance resulting from being careworn,fatigued by trouble and worry; and 2nd: Rider, English writer of adventure stories, including "King Solomon's Mines".

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 admits English ceremonial is appropriate (7)

### Answer: MERITED ### Explanation: Definition: appropriate MD(abbrev. for $$D$$octor of $$M$$edicine) **containing**(admits) E($$E$$nglish) + RITE(ceremonial as a noun, as in "the ceremonial of a church wedding").

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

### Clue: Biblical queen? There's trouble! (6)

### Answer: ESTHER ### Explanation: Definition: Biblical queen ***Anagram of***(trouble) THERE'S. Answer: In the Bible. a Jewish queen to the king of Persia.

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

### Clue: Tension is beginning to smash lock (6)

### Answer: STRESS ### Explanation: Definition: Tension S(first letter of,beginning to "smash") + TRESS(a lock of 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: Penny submitted material (5)

### Answer: PLAID ### Explanation: Definition: material P(abbrev. for the $$p$$enny) + LAID(presented,submitted for consideration, as in "I laid/submitted my case before the committee").

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

### Clue: Teaching flower arrangement to rock singer? (7)

### Answer: LORELEI ### Explanation: Definition: rock singer LORE(the knowledge,teaching that is traditionally handed down the generations) + LEI(an arrangement of flowers as a garland worn round the neck, from the Hawaiian language). Defn. and Answer: Alternatively spelled as Loreley. Legendary German feminite water spirit similar to the Sirens,singers of Greek mythology, associated with the Loreley, a rock on the eastern bank of the Rhine. I liked the defn.

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

### Clue: Star named dreadful artisan (9)

### Answer: TRADESMAN ### Explanation: Definition: artisan **Anagram of**(dreadful) STAR NAMED. Answer: A man who has a trade or craft,an artisan.

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

### Clue: Mysterious English lake (5)

### Answer: EERIE ### Explanation: Definition: Mysterious E($$E$$nglish – the third appearance) + ERIE(one of the Great Lakes in the North American continent).

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

### Clue: In the middle of the day horse is in shape (7)

### Answer: NONAGON ### Explanation: Definition: shape NOON(the time that is the middle of the day) **containing**(in…is) NAG(a horse, especially an inferior or worthless one). Answer: A geometrical closed shape having nine sides and angles.

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

### Clue: Diminished worth of pamphlet during performance (9)

### Answer: DETRACTED ### Explanation: Definition: Diminished worth TRACT(a pamphlet,brief treatise for general distribution, usually with a reliigious or political content) **contained in**(during) DEED(something that's done,performed). Answer: Past tense of to take away part of,diminish something/someone's value,worth.

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

### Clue: Caution astute cheat (4,5)

### Answer: CARD SHARP ### Explanation: Definition: cheat CARD(the yellow card shown to a footballer after he/she has committed a foul, as a caution that the next foul will result in he/she being sent to the showers) + SHARP(astute,smart). A 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: Six in regatta tragically sink (9)

### Answer: GRAVITATE ### Explanation: Definition: sink VI(Roman numeral for six) **contained in**(in) **anagram of**(tragically) REGATTA. Answer: To sink to earth, under the force of gravity. It could also mean to move to a figurative source of attraction, but then it would not necessarily be to sink.

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

### Clue: Will set-up subdue conservationists? (9)

### Answer: TESTAMENT ### Explanation: Definition: Will **Reversal of**(up, in a down clue) SET + TAME(to subdue,tone down,domesticate a wild or unruly being, eg. Shakespeare's Kate) + NT(abbrev. for the $$N$$ational $$T$$rust, an organisation dedicated to preserving,conserving the cultural or environmental treasures of a region. First organisation was for England/Wales/N.Ireland, but now similar ones are to be found in other regions and countries.

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 carrying soldier into battle (7)

### Answer: FREIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: Charge for carrying RE(abbrev. for a member,soldier of the $$R$$oyal $$E$$ngineers) **contained in**(into) FIGHT(battle).

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

### Clue: At once I disposed of poison (7)

### Answer: ACONITE ### Explanation: Definition: poison **Anagram of**(disposed of) AT ONCE I. Answer: A poison derived from plants of the genus Aconitum. Highly toxic, but also used after processing or in very small doses in Indian and Chinese medicine. And some are grown as ornamental garden plants! A 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: Carried pole through tunnel (5)

### Answer: BORNE ### Explanation: Definition: Carried N(abbrev. for the $$n$$orth pole) **contained in**(through) BORE(a tunnel,hole made by boring through).

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

### Clue: Shelter detective in Yorkshire (5)

### Answer: LEEDS ### Explanation: Definition: in Yorkshire LEE(the part or side that is sheltered from the wind) + DS(abbrev. for detective sergeant). Answer: The city in Yorkshire.

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

### Clue: In which poor income is choking firm and credit is squeezed (8,6)

### Answer: ECONOMIC CRISIS ### Explanation: Definition: In which poor income is choking firm and credit is squeezed [CR(abbrev. for credit) + IS] **contained in**(squeezed) {**anagram of**(poor) [INCOME IS] **containing**(choking) CO(abbrev. for company,firm)}. Defn: A WIWD($$w$$ordplay $$i$$ntertwined $$w$$ith $$d$$efinition) clue – describing two symptoms of an economic crisis. Nice, even though the answer is not difficult to get.

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

### Clue: She used to come out with it in entry on left (5)

### Answer: DEBIT ### Explanation: Definition: entry on left DEB(short for debutante, a young girl introduced to society,come out in a grand occasion, basically signalling she's ready for it – does "used" mean this practice is defunct now?) **plus**(with) IT. Answer: In accountancy, specifically double-entry book-keeping, a debits was/is traditionally an entry on the left side, and a credit on the right – in a mostly right-handed species, the left-hand more often than not takes the rap!

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

### Clue: Director oddly upset by these changes in household cover (9)

### Answer: DUSTSHEET ### Explanation: Definition: household cover D(abbrev. for director) + U,S,T(the letters in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th positions,oddly of "upset") **plus**(by) **anagram of**(changes) THESE. Answer: What is used to cover the furniture, etc. in a household, if they're to be left undusted for a long time.

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

### Clue: Half an hour in local, drunk on this (7)

### Answer: ALCOHOL ### Explanation: Definition: this HO(half of the letters in "hour") ***contained in***(in) **anagram of**(drunk) LOCAL. A nice surface and WIWD.

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

### Clue: Pilot is not visiting each country (7)

### Answer: ESTONIA ### Explanation: Definition: country **Anagram of**(pilot, as in to steer) [IS NOT] **contained in**(visiting) EA(abbrev. for each).

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

### Clue: Antisocial guy finally read short book (5)

### Answer: DWEEB ### Explanation: Definition: Antisocial guy D(last letter of,finally "read") + WEE(small,short in length, area or volume) + B(abbrev. for book). Answer: Slang for an eccentric person or one awkward in a social evironment , antisocial in that sense, and not in the pathological sense, which would be too harsh a 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: He's taken in for a pill dissolved with oxygen (5,4)

### Answer: APRIL FOOL ### Explanation: Definition: He's taken in **Anagram of**(dissolved) [FOR A PILL] **containing**(dissolved with) O(chemical symbol for the element, oxygen).

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 winds in Blackburn? (3,6)

### Answer: JET STREAM ### Explanation: Definition: High winds JET(black) + STREAM(a small river or brook,burn). Answer: In meteorology, the layer, about 12000 metres high, of strong,high winds.

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 writer's material (5)

### Answer: DENIM ### Explanation: Definition: material DEN(a study,a quiet room where you could study, if you wanted to) + I'M{a contraction of "I am",writer(I) is,writer'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: Tyrannical leader usurps king in horrific chamber piece (7)

### Answer: MACBETH ### Explanation: Definition: piece T(initial letter,leader of "tyrannical" ***replacing***(usurps) "r"(abbrev. for Rex in Latin,king) in **anagram of**(horrific) "chamber". Answer: A play,piece by Shakespeare. Another WIWD clue as the clue describes Macbeth's deed.

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

### Clue: First sailor to lose a rope at sea hasn't a chance (2-5)

### Answer: NO-HOPER ### Explanation: Definition: hasn't a chance NOH{"Noah"(in Genesis, he – and family – was the first human to float,first sailor, in an ark in the great flood, when all the other non-sailors perished) **minus**(to lose) "a"} + **anagram of**(at sea) ROPE.

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

### Clue: Note fruit that's right outside little Jack's place (2,1,6)

### Answer: IN A CORNER ### Explanation: Definition: little Jack's place [IE(abbrev. for $$i$$d $$e$$st, Latin for that is,that's) + R(abbrev. for right)] **containing**(outside) [N(abbrev. for a note) + ACORN(fruit of the oak tree)]. Answer: Reference to the nursery rhyme about little Jack Horner, who sat in a corner, eating….. It has been interpreted as referring to acts of opportunism by various characters.

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

### Clue: National flag on Howth Head (5)

### Answer: IRISH ### Explanation: Definition: National IRIS(some of the species of iris plants are commonly called flags, eg. the blue flag, the iris versicolour) **plus**(on) H(initial letter,head of "Howth"). Answer: A national,citizen of 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: Secure, like boltholes for spies when hiding (2,4,2,6)

### Answer: AS SAFE AS HOUSES ### Explanation: Definition: Secure AS(like, as used in a simile like this) + SAFE HOUSES(hiding places,boltholes for spies on the run) **containing**(…hiding) AS(as in "as and when"). A WIWD clue.

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

### Clue: Volume of copper piece holding constant charge (5,4)

### Answer: CUBIC FEET ### Explanation: Definition: Volume [CU(chemical symbol for the element, copper)] + BIT(a piece) **containing**(holding) [C(mathematical symbol for a constant number) + FEE(a charge for a service rendered)]. Answer: Pre-metrication, a measure of volume in the Imperial system.

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

### Clue: Nick's where Dawkins goes on Sunday? (5)

### Answer: NOTCH ### Explanation: Definition: Nick Cryptic defn: Reference to Englishman Richard Dawkins, leading atheist, ethologist, evolutionary biologist, a joy-to-read author and presenter, who has helped to raise the awareness and level of scientific knowledge in modern societies. He might go any place but NOT CHurch on Sundays.

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

### Clue: Spread roughly between two and three scores (6,3)

### Answer: MIDDLE AGE ### Explanation: Definition: Spread Cryptic defn. (I think, or it could be a double defn.): The extra weight (fat?) spread around the middle of your body that you tend to get when you're roughly between 40 (two score) and 60(three score) years old (cf. the biblical "the days of our years are threescore years and ten").

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

### Clue: Modest hotel snubbed Brahmans for instance (5)

### Answer: CASTE ### Explanation: Definition: Brahmans for instance "chaste",modest, as usually applied to females **minus**(…snubbed) H(represented by "hotel" in the phonetic alphabet). Answer: Or Brahmins, members of the highest, or priestly, class in the caste system of the Hindus.

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

### Clue: Broken street light moved elsewhere (9)

### Answer: RESETTLED ### Explanation: Definition: moved elsewhere [**Anagram of**(broken) STREET] + LED(abbrev. for $$l$$ight $$e$$mitting $$d$$iode, an increasingly common replacement for the bulb).

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 actor? (5)

### Answer: SHEEN ### Explanation: Definition: Polish,actor Double defn: 1st: The gleaming brightness obtained by polishing; and 2nd: Martin, or his son, Charlie, American actors, take your pick.

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

### Clue: Leave port in Kent, say, with a list corrected (3,4)

### Answer: SET SAIL ### Explanation: Definition: Leave port SE(abbrev. for the South East region of England, of which for example,say, Kent is part) **plus**(with) **anagram of**(corrected) A LIST.

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

### Clue: He wed a wild racy divorcee for starters (6)

### Answer: EDWARD ### Explanation: Definition: He **Anagram of**(wild) [WED A] + R,D(initial letters of,for starters "racy" and "divorcee")

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

### Clue: Punter away getting richer (6,3)

### Answer: BETTER OFF ### Explanation: Definition: getting richer BETTER(a punter,layer of bets) + OFF(away from 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: Supporter in Colosseum from anarchist group (5,4)

### Answer: ROMAN ARCH ### Explanation: Definition: Supporter in Colosseum ***Hidden in***(…group) fROM ANARCHist. Answer: A feature that supports a load in a building , in this case, the Roman Colosseum.

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 help one drunk to swallow old grape nut (9)

### Answer: OENOPHILE ### Explanation: Definition: grape nut **Anagram of**(drunk) [I HELP ONE] **containing**(to swallow) O(abbrev. for "old"). Answer: The suffix -phile indicating a nut,fan,connoisseur, or just someone who enjoys "the grape",wine, represented by the prefix oeno-.

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

### Clue: Judge, one replacing monarch in US island (7)

### Answer: JAMAICA ### Explanation: Definition: island J(abbrev. for judge) + {"America"(US) with "a"(one) ***replacing***(replacing) "ER"(current British monarch, $$E$$lizabeth $$R$$egina)}

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

### Clue: He split, leaving Humphrey to get mashed potato (6)

### Answer: MURPHY ### Explanation: Definition: potato **Anagram of**(mashed) UMPHRY("Humphrey" **minus**(….leaving) ("h" and "e")("he" split, ie. not subtracting "he" as a single word, but the individual letters)]. Answer: The Irish or white potato.

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

### Clue: Head of coaching has boxing ring in disarray (5)

### Answer: CHAOS ### Explanation: Definition: disarray C(initial letter,head of "coaching") + [HAS **containing**(boxing) O(letter in the shape of a ring)].

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

### Clue: Stainer numbers tackled by male alto (5)

### Answer: HENNA ### Explanation: Definition: Stainer N,N(2 abbrevs. for $$n$$umber) **contained in**(tackled by) [HE(pronoun for a male) + A(abbrev. for alto)]. Answer: A reddish-orange dye,stainer for hair, skin, fingernails, leather and wool, from the henna plant.

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

### Clue: Poem has always intrigued Kyoto union bosses (5)

### Answer: HAIKU ### Explanation: Definition: Poem Initial letters,bosses of Has Always Intrigued Kyoto Union. Answer: A poem (could even be in English) in the Haiku style, a very short form of Japanese poetry. Another WIWD clue.

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

### Clue: Prepare to beat up silly person (4)

### Answer: DODO ### Explanation: Definition: silly person DO(prepare, as in "I'll do the salad") + DO(to beat up a person, in English slang). Answer: A derogatory term for a silly person.

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 best spades – mountaineers might need them (3,5)

### Answer: ICE PICKS ### Explanation: Definition: mountaineers might need them ICE(coolness, or even coldness,reserve, in contrast to warmth towards another being) + PICK(the best, as in "pick of the crop") + S(abbrev. for spades, the playing card suit).

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

### Clue: Group of females two men insist gets changed in front of truck (6,9)

### Answer: WOMEN’S INSTITUTE ### Explanation: Definition: Group of females **Anagram of**(gets changed) TWO MEN INSIST **placed before**(in front of) UTE(short for a utility vehicle,truck). Answer: Often referred to by its abbrev., the WI, the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK, providing members with educational opportunities, the chance to take part in wide variety of activities, and to campaign for women's welfare.

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

### Clue: Cuban radar at sea missing navy's fearsome swimmer (9)

### Answer: BARRACUDA ### Explanation: Definition: fearsome swimmer **Anagram of**(at sea) CUBA RADAR{"Cuban radar" **minus**(missing) "n"(abbrev. for navy)}.

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

### Clue: Carry child 1back to house (4)

### Answer: TOTE ### Explanation: Definition: Carry TOT(small child) + E(last letter of,back to "house').

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 late in catching male's illness (7)

### Answer: AILMENT ### Explanation: Definition: illness **Anagram of**(doctor) LATE IN **containing**(catching) M(abbrev. for the male 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: Take issue (6)

### Answer: KIDNAP ### Explanation: Definition: Take issue Cryptic defn: The issue,child is "kid", and the whole word denotes to snatch,take for the purpose of extorting a ransom, but kidnapping is not restricted to your kid. The –nap suffix is now used in words like artnap, starnap, petnap (not to be confused with catnap) or anything-valuable-nap.

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

### Clue: Head of ENT came prepared to contain unknown skin disease (6)

### Answer: ECZEMA ### Explanation: Definition: skin disease E(initial letter,head of "ENT") + [**anagram of**(prepared) CAME **containing**(to contain) Z(a symbol for an unknown quantity in mathematics, together with X and Y)].

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

### Clue: Flag raised; wind lessened to an extent (7)

### Answer: DWINDLE ### Explanation: Definition: Flag **Hidden in**(to an extent) raiseD WIND LEssened.

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

### Clue: Chap eating hot rabbit (4)

### Answer: CHAT ### Explanation: Definition: rabbit CAT(slang for a chap,man, doubly so if he is a devotee of jazz) **containing**(eating) H(abbrev. for hot). Defn: To talk inconsequently,chat, from rhyming slang "rabbit and pork"/"talk".

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 check around and look for a place to sit (4,5)

### Answer: DECK CHAIR ### Explanation: Definition: a place to sit D(abbrev. for daughter) + **anagram of**(around) CHECK **plus**(and) AIR(a look,demeanour of a person).

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

### Clue: Straw was damaged in strong fire – I'm storing last of rye (7,8)

### Answer: FOREIGN MINISTER ### Explanation: Definition: Straw was **Anagram of**(damaged) [IN STRONG FIRE – I'M] **containing**(storing) E(last letter of "rye"). Answer: What John (but goes by "Jack") was for the UK from 2001-2006. Not to be confused with another Jack Straw, one of the leaders of the 14C Peasants' Revolt in England (a nod to the latter by the former? or self-styling by the former, if you want to be ungenerous?

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

### Clue: Engaged again; calmly submissive (8)

### Answer: RESIGNED ### Explanation: Definition: calmly submissive RE-SIGNED(with the hyphen, could mean to sign on again,engaged again, as in "P is not re-signing with his football club, …"). Answer: Without the hyphen, calmly submissive,accepting without resistance, as in "…and the club is resigned to 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: Tiger's first hit bunker (4)

### Answer: TRAP ### Explanation: Definition: bunker T(initial letter,…'s first of "Tiger") + RAP(hit,knock). Defn: A sand trap,hazard on the golf course, where even Tiger Woods sometimes finds himself in – he's only human after all.

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

### Clue: Conductor is likely to make this movement relaxed (8)

### Answer: DOWNBEAT ### Explanation: Definition: Conductor is likely to make this movement,relaxed Double defn:. 1st: The downward movement of an orchestra's conductor's baton to indicate the first accented beat of a measure; and 2nd: Descriptive of someone who is unstressed – and not causing stress either.

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

### Clue: Almost bashful objection (5)

### Answer: DEMUR ### Explanation: Definition: objection "Demure",bashful, as with innocent and young maidens **minus** its last letter,almost. Nice surface. Answer: Used as a noun, an objection that has been raised, eg. in a law court.

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 of Staff to dismiss cavalryman (7)

### Answer: COSSACK ### Explanation: Definition: cavalryman COS(abbrev. of $$C$$hief $$o$$f $$S$$taff in the military) + SACK(to dismiss,fire from an appointment). Answer: Also adept at dancing.

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

### Clue: Newspaper editor on tour – something that makes an impression on the board (7,7)

### Answer: PRINTED CIRCUIT ### Explanation: Definition: something that makes an impression on the board PRINT(a printed publication, such as a newspaper or magazine) + ED(abbrev. for editor – and a few other things) **placed above**(on, in a down clue) CIRCUIT(the route taken for a roundtrip,tour).

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

### Clue: Try to pull cart up enclosed area (9)

### Answer: COURTYARD ### Explanation: Definition: enclosed area COURT(the old fashioned word for trying to attract,pull, in the situation where the object is of the opposite sex) + **reversal of**(up, in a down clue) DRAY(a cart for carrying heavy loads).

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

### Clue: Use needle and thread to cover the small hole (4)

### Answer: STEW ### Explanation: Definition: hole SEW(use needle and thread) **containing**(to cover) T'(contraction,small of "the"). Answer: A difficult position to find oneself in,a (figurative) hole.

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 of the match's gift? (10,4)

### Answer: ENGAGEMENT RING ### Explanation: Definition: Man of the match's gift Cryptic defn: The gift from the man who is considered a suitable candidate,a match for the woman receiving the gift, with the prospect of marriage,the next match. The MOTM phrase is from sporting events.

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

### Clue: Game's tense after animosity (6)

### Answer: PIQUET ### Explanation: Definition: Game T(abbrev. for the grammatical tense) **placed below**(after) PIQUE(a feeling of irritation or resentment,perhaps a mild animosity). Answer: A card game for 2 players, not with a full deck – the cards, not the players.

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

### Clue: Fight rugby player – cut head to toe (4,5)

### Answer: LOCK HORNS ### Explanation: Definition: Fight LOCK(or lock forward, a rugby player in either of the 2 positions in the middle of the second row of the scrum) + HORNS("shorn",cut with its initial letter,head moved to the other end,its toe, in a down clue).

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 then collapse? Sign of distress (8)

### Answer: TEARDROP ### Explanation: Definition: Sign of distress TEAR(run quickly) **plus**(then) DROP(collapse).

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

### Clue: Someone desperate to enter stake – but not quickly (7)

### Answer: ANDANTE ### Explanation: Definition: not quickly DAN(reference to Desperate Dan, a character in the British comic, The Dandy, and its successor) **contained in**(to enter) ANTE{the amount of money,stake each poker player contributes to the pool, before (hence "ante") the cards are dealt, and also the amount representing the share any one participant has in a joint venture}. An amusing surface of a reluctant poker player down on his/her luck and money. Answer: A musical direction to play in a moderately slow tempo,not quickly.

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

### Clue: Lying tethered up outside church (6)

### Answer: DECEIT ### Explanation: Definition: Lying **Reversal of**(up, in a down clue) TIED(tethered) **containing**(outside) CE(abbrev. for $$C$$hurch of $$E$$ngland). Defn: As a noun.

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 female rejected? He might not (5)

### Answer: ACTOR ### Explanation: Definition: He, might not "factor"{one of the elements,part contributing to a consequence, as in "morale was a factor in their success" **minus**(rejected) "f"(abbrev. for the female sex)}. Answer: The *he* in the clue who might accept,not reject, a role,a part. A nice WIWD(wordplay intertwined with definition) clue.

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 passenger leaving employee's tip at a distance (4)

### Answer: AFAR ### Explanation: Definition: at a distance A + FAR("fare",a paying passenger, as in "a taxi fare", **minus**(leaving) E(initial letter,…'s tip of "employee").

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

### Clue: Draw small sailing boat (6)

### Answer: SKETCH ### Explanation: Definition: Draw,small sailing boat Double defn.

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

### Clue: Student is barred from entire contest (7)

### Answer: COMPETE ### Explanation: Definition: contest "complete",entire **minus**(is barred) "l"(abbrev. for Student). Answer: As a verb

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

### Clue: To Iran via Barking, for a change (9)

### Answer: VARIATION ### Explanation: Definition: change **Anagram of**(Barking) TO IRAN VIA.

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

### Clue: Discourage TV serial killer, withholding kiss (5)

### Answer: DETER ### Explanation: Definition: Discourage "Dexter"(serial killer in TV serial of the same name)** minus**(withholding) "x",symbol for a kiss, with which this setter signs off her comments.

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

### Clue: Hodgson has a side, which is magnificent! (5)

### Answer: ROYAL ### Explanation: Definition: magnificent ROY(Hodgson,England's football manager) **plus**(has) L(abbrev. for the left side). Answer: Befitting of, or appropriate to a sovereign. A WIWD (wordplay intertwined with defin.) clue, with the side being the English 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: Sailor undoing a satin bow (9)

### Answer: BOATSWAIN ### Explanation: Definition: Sailor **Anagram of**(undoing) A SATIN BOW. Answer: Usually shortened to "bosun", a "coxswain", another member of a ship's crew, is also shortened, as in a recent TV presenter's commentary of a medal ceremony: "Ah, isn't that nice, the wife of the IOC president is hugging the cox of the British crew."

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

### Clue: Permit freedom for poet (7)

### Answer: LICENCE ### Explanation: Definition: Permit Cryptic defn: Reference to "poetic licence"(freedom for poet to take liberties linguistically). If you ignore that the 2 parts of the clue mean basically the same thing, you have a double defn.

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

### Clue: Sailor returned to invade African nation that is an island (6)

### Answer: TOBAGO ### Explanation: Definition: an island **Reversal of**(returned) AB(abbrev. for able-bodied seaman,a Sailor) **contained in**(to invade) TOGO(an African nation). Answer: An island in the Caribbean which with Trinidad form an archipelago state.

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

### Clue: Concentrating on camping? (6)

### Answer: INTENT ### Explanation: Definition: Concentrating Cryptic defn: camping is when you temporarily sleep IN a TENT.

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

### Clue: Shake when stomach is pumped and milk is found in it (7)

### Answer: SHUDDER ### Explanation: Definition: Shake SH,"stomach" **minus** its internal letters(is pumped) **plus**(and) UDDER(where milk is to be found).

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

### Clue: Revolutionary Basques steal beer? Fancy! (9)

### Answer: ELABORATE ### Explanation: Definition: Fancy **Reversal of**(Revolutionary) [ETA(abbrev. for an organisation of armed Basques, themselves revolutionary) + ROB(steal) + ALE(beer)]. Answer: Descriptive of something ornate, complex and detailed, in other words, Fancy).

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 be chubby (5)

### Answer: PLUMP ### Explanation: Definition: Choose,chubby Double defn: 1st: To Choose, elect, or support one out of a group, as "the electorate plumped for the Independent candidate". First of 3 answers in the SE quarter related to weightiness.

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

### Clue: Doorman skinned cat (5)

### Answer: OUNCE ### Explanation: Definition: cat "bouncer"(Doorman for a nightclub, say, to keep out undesirable would-be customers) **minus** its outer letters(skinned). And everyone knows you've got to be mean and cruel to be a bouncer. Answer: The snow leopard, a pet amongst setters.

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, alcohol and feasts regularly causing slight corpulence (9)

### Answer: PUDGINESS ### Explanation: Definition: slight corpulence PUD(short for pudding,an English term for the Dessert course, whether or not it's a pudding) + GIN( ) + ESS[second, fourth and sixth letters(regularly) of "feasts"]. Defn: "slight" might be an understatement 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: Rubbish initially bunged in outbuilding (7)

### Answer: GARBAGE ### Explanation: Definition: Rubbish B[initial letter of(initially) "bunged"] **contained in**(in) GARAGE(an outbuilding to house your vehicle, or more commonly, stuff you don't want any more, but yet cannot bear to dispose of, ie. Rubbish). Which makes it another WIWD clue.

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

### Clue: Section of Liebestod — generally heavy stuff (6)

### Answer: STODGE ### Explanation: Definition: heavy stuff **Hidden in**(Section of) LiebeSTOD — GEnerally.