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: Hail enters two points in part of roof (5)	### Answer: EAVES ### Explanation: Definition: part of roof AVE(greet,hail) in(enters) E&S($$e$$ast & $$s$$outh, two compass points) Defn: That part between the overhanging roof and outside wall of a building. Convenient place for birds to build their nests, wasps alike, and bees their hives. "Eavesdrop" derives from this word, as the water dripping from the eaves is in a position to listen to what's said in the building.
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 acts do this in prison break (8)	### Answer: PLAYTIME ### Explanation: Definition: break PLAY(theatrical play which is made up of some acts) + TIME(what a criminal does in prison) Defn: A recess break in school, especially for younger children
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Left out in the end by top editor (6)	### Answer: ELIDED ### Explanation: Definition: Left out E(last letter,end of the word the) + LID(top of a container) + ED(short for $$ed$$itor) Defn: To strike out,omit,leave out something written. Nice surface as it's exactly what an editor might do.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Trick one hospital worker (7)	### Answer: ARTISAN ### Explanation: Definition: worker ART(guile,cunning,trick) + I(Roman numeral for one) + SAN(short for sanatorium,sanitarium in US,a place for unhealthy people to recover, like a hospital, you could say)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Floor shows no more in France (7)	### Answer: NONPLUS ### Explanation: Definition: Floor NON(no in what they speak in France) + PLUS(similarly for more) Defn: To completely puzzle,confuse someone, thus figuratively knocking him/her to the floor.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Relative monstrosity is carbohydrate-free (5)	### Answer: UNCLE ### Explanation: Definition: Relative Carbuncle(a skin eruption, larger than a boil, caused by a staphylococcal(staph) infection, would look like a monstrosity in an extreme case) without(free) of carb(short for carbohydrate). (No graphics in deference to the squeamish.)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Nicky and Nico – but not Nicholas? (9)	### Answer: NICKNAMES ### Explanation: Definition: Nicky and Nico Cryptic defn: The full name, Nicholas is a "Nick" name, but not a nickname
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Model leapt after following this instruction (7,5)	### Answer: FASHION PLATE ### Explanation: Definition: Model,leapt after following this instruction Double defn : 1st : One who dresses in the latest fashion and can therefore serve as a model for others to follow; and 2nd : The instruction, "fashion (the word) plate" which after following gives its anagram "leapt".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Tiny ship with cargo of wood and fast food? (6,6)	### Answer: MINUTE STEAKS ### Explanation: Definition: fast food? MINUTE(small,tiny) + SS(SS so and so,steamship) around(with cargo) TEAK(type of hard timber,wood) Defn: Thin pieces of meat which can be cooked quite quickly (in a minute?), and can therefore be called fast food with a ?, as you can't get them at fast food outlets.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Type more practical if saints are included (4,5)	### Answer: SANS SERIF ### Explanation: Definition: Type SS(s = saint, ss = saints) in(are included) in {SANER(less woolly thinking,more practical) + IF} Defn: Typeface without small projections at the end of character strokes. Sans Serif & Serif(the red parts)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Mystic took the waters by head of the Indus (5)	### Answer: SWAMI ### Explanation: Definition: Mystic SWAM(taking the waters means to go to a spa, to bath, drink, etc. for one's health, I suppose you could also swim in it) + I(initial letter,head of Indus) Defn: An honorific title given to a Hindu religious teacher. Nice surface as you'll find water and swamis at the Indus 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: Believe wise men visited home going towards the Orient (7)	### Answer: IMAGINE ### Explanation: Definition: Believe MAGI(wise men who paid homage to the infant Jesus) in(visited) IN(at home) +(going towards) E($$E$$ast,the Orient)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Plan to orbit moon in ancient vehicle (7)	### Answer: CHARIOT ### Explanation: Definition: ancient vehicle CHART(plan showing, eg. course of action, flow diagram) around(to orbit) IO(one of Jupiter's 4 largest moons, with 60 other tiny ones)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Want empty lampshade with spur (6)	### Answer: NEEDLE ### Explanation: Definition: spur NEED(what one requires, strictly speaking something essential, compared to "want","desire") LE(letters of "lampshade" without its inner letters,empty)
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 demand sex appeal is to invite punishment (3,3,2)	### Answer: ASK FOR IT ### Explanation: Definition: to invite punishment ASK FOR(to demand) IT(those who have "it" have oodles of sex appeal). I think this clue works as well with fewer words if "appeal" were left out (becomes a double defn. then)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Trophy filling could be the result (6)	### Answer: PLAQUE ### Explanation: Definition: Trophy,filling could be the result Double defn: 1st : A commemorative piece flat metal or wood, can be displayed as a trophy; and 2nd : Dental plaque (there are other types too), soft sticky film attached to teeth enamel, formed by bacteria growth, hardening to form yellowish tartar. Plaque can give rise to tooth decay and cavities, which could require filling as a result.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Fit resulting from a deviation round team leader (6)	### Answer: ATTACK ### Explanation: Definition: Fit A TACK(a course of action or conduct that differs,is a deviation from a previous course, thus, one changes tack to surprise one's opponents) round T(initial letter,leader of the word "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: Challenge when reflective minds included hypercube (9)	### Answer: TESSERACT ### Explanation: Definition: hypercube Reversal(reflective) of CARES(tends to,looks after,minds) in(included) TEST(a trial,challenge) Defn: One for the mathematicians, a cube with an extra dimenstion,hyper to the normal 3. Can't explain more than that – it's all in the mathematician's mind.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Anybody in island surrounded by traffic? (3,2,3,6)	### Answer: MAN IN THE STREET ### Explanation: Definition: Anybody MAN(Isle of Man, island in the Irish Sea) + IN THE STREET(where you'll be surrounded by traffic).
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 security, wrap new fabric (5)	### Answer: LINEN ### Explanation: Definition: fabric LIEN(what the bank has on your property as security for a loan, say) around(wrap) N($$n$$ew)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: End up on top of literary heroine's problems (8)	### Answer: DILEMMAS ### Explanation: Definition: problems Reversal(up, in a down clue) of LID(the top end of a container) +(on top) of EMMA(Jane Austen heroine in the novel of the same name)*'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: I withdrew after reviewing satirised tragedy (8)	### Answer: DISASTER ### Explanation: Definition: tragedy Anagram(after reviewing) of SATRISED(letters of "satirised" without,withdrew "I")
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Criticise continuously and stuff the consequences (5-2,7)	### Answer: KNOCK-ON EFFECTS ### Explanation: Definition: the consequences KNOCK(criticise) ON(on and on,continuously) EFFECTS(stuff and things as in personal effects) Defn: A chain of consequences, like dominoes falling 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: It is plain that man is being pursued by carnivorous fish (9)	### Answer: PIKESTAFF ### Explanation: Definition: It is plain STAFF(the verb, to man,provide staff) +(is being pursued by) PIKE(carnivorous fish, a big fish that eats little fish, and other aquatic/amphibous animals). Imagine that the whole word is moving from left to right, in which case it looks as if "pike" is pursuing "staff". Defn: From the simile, "as plain as a pikestaff", which can be quite an insulting thing to say.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Going out on internet quest? (8)	### Answer: EMISSION ### Explanation: Definition: Going out E(short for $$e$$lectronic in things, well, electronic, like email, eBay, e-banking, just add the "e" in front, associated with the internet) MISSION(a search for an objective,quest)
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 international organisation, determine the age of flood (8)	### Answer: INUNDATE ### Explanation: Definition: flood IN UN(United Nations,international organization) + DATE(to determine the age of) something, eg. rocks in geology, artefacts in archaeology)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Cook a vicar's eggs (6)	### Answer: CAVIAR ### Explanation: Definition: eggs Anagram(cook) of *A VICAR
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 raised protest at kidnapper's one-sided demand (6)	### Answer: DIKTAT ### Explanation: Definition: one-sided demand Hidden(some) and reversed(raised, in a down clue) in protesT AT KIDnapper's Defn: A harsh punitive decree,demand imposed unilaterally,one-sided on eg. a defeated nation.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Static is inaudible (5)	### Answer: STILL ### Explanation: Definition: Static,inaudible 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: College to offer additional weapon (8)	### Answer: CLAYMORE ### Explanation: Definition: weapon C(college) LAY(to offer,treat, as in "lay on a grand dinner") MORE(extra,additional) Defn: From Scottish Gaelic "great sword", a long two-handed sword
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Outlaw in favour of offer (6)	### Answer: FORBID ### Explanation: Definition: Outlaw FOR(in favour of,pro) BID(offer,tender,quotation for a piece of business)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Wild USA rebel can be employed again (8)	### Answer: REUSABLE ### Explanation: Definition: can be employed again Anagram of(wild) USA REBEL
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: FT staff promote retiring film director (6)	### Answer: WELLES ### Explanation: Definition: film director WE(what the staff of where this crossword is found, the $$F$$inancial $$T$$imes, use to refer to themselves) plus reversal of(retiring) SELL(verb, to promote,persuade) Defn: Orson 1915-1985, director, actor, screenwriter, producer in radio, theatre, film, and television, and all-round genius in his field. His first movie was the classic Citizen Kane.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Goddesses succeeded after fellow had a meal (5)	### Answer: FATES ### Explanation: Definition: Goddesses S($$s$$ucceeded) placed after {F(fellow, as in qualifications like FRCS, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons) ATE(had a meal)} Defn: The three goddesses in Greek mythology, and their Roman or Germanic equivalents, who determined the future of every mortal from birth to death.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Picture requires light through doorway (9)	### Answer: PORTRAYAL ### Explanation: Definition: Picture RAY(a beam of light) contained in(through) PORTAL(doorway, including figuratively, as used in the Internet)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Charlie leaves boat for shrine (6)	### Answer: ORACLE ### Explanation: Definition: shrine c(C for Charlie in phonetic alphabet) deleted from(leaves) cORACLE(a small, round or very broad boat)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Help in making out with good girls (7)	### Answer: GLASSES ### Explanation: Definition: Help in making out G(good) LASSES(girls) Defn: What you need to help you make out,discern,focus if you're myopic. If you look studious with them on, will "good" girls make out (a different meaning) with you? 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: Brawl interrupts fine play in football match (5-2)	### Answer: THROW-IN ### Explanation: Definition: play in football match ROW(brawl,punch-up) contained in(interrupts) THIN(fine, as in "a fine,thin layer of dust" or "cut it fine,thin") Defn: For non-soccer fans, how the ball is put back into play after going beyond the sidelines – a two handed overhead throw into the field with both feet on the ground.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Unsettle the conductor (6)	### Answer: RATTLE ### Explanation: Definition: Unsettle,the conductor Double defn: 1st: Make someone uncomfortable,nervous; and 2nd: Sir Simon, British orchestral conductor, now conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Requisition brotherhood's criminal record (5,4)	### Answer: ORDER FORM ### Explanation: Definition: Requisition ORDER(brotherhood of a religious type,a monastic society or fraternity) FORM(British slang for criminal record) Defn: What you put your requisition details on. Pre the electronic age, you used to have to fill it in multiplicate, with carbon paper and signatures galore.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Club in which the password is courage (5)	### Answer: DISCO ### Explanation: Definition: Club Hidden in passworD IS COurage Defn: Short for "discotheque", a music and dance club in the 70s, with disco bands and music and that "mirror-ball". And there's even a postage stamp.
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 paradoxical that one club backs another (6)	### Answer: IRONIC ### Explanation: Definition: It's paradoxical IC(1,one=I club, one of the 4 suits in a deck of playing cards) placed after(backs) IRON(another club, used by golfers, whose head is flat and made of steel, close enough to iron I guess)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Give a car overhaul in official residence (8)	### Answer: VICARAGE ### Explanation: Definition: official residence Anagram of(overhaul) GIVE A CAR Defn: The official residence of the vicar, where you'd have tea with the vicar by invitation.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Rodney knocked about over there (6)	### Answer: YONDER ### Explanation: Definition: over there Anagram of(knocked about) RODNEY
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Commented about evangelist to journalist (8)	### Answer: REMARKED ### Explanation: Definition: Commented RE(about,referring to) MARK(the apostle,early evangelist) plus(to) ED(short for editor/editress, presumably he/she, at least used to be a journalist)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Vessel for a service in church (6)	### Answer: CARAFE ### Explanation: Definition: Vessel {A plus RAF(Royal Air Force, one of the services in the British military)} contained in(in) CE($$C$$hurch of $$E$$ngland)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Married man who later rued arrangement (9)	### Answer: ADULTERER ### Explanation: Definition: Married man who later rued arrangement Anagram of(arrangement) LATER RUED. Definition and wordplay deliciously intertwined. My COD
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Intends to make money (5)	### Answer: MEANS ### Explanation: Definition: Intends,money Double defn: 1st: Verb, as in "say what you mean and mean what you say" ; and 2nd: What one has to spend,live on,etc. as in "woman of independent means".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Unexpected deterioration makes Romeo slip away (7)	### Answer: RELAPSE ### Explanation: Definition: Unexpected deterioration R(R for Romeo in phonetic alphabet) ELAPSE(referring to the passage of time,pass by,slip away) Defn: Just when you thought you were recovering and doing well (usually from an illness), this hits you by surprise.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Lose sense of proportion when soldiers tuck into ham (9)	### Answer: OVERREACT ### Explanation: Definition: Lose sense of proportion RE(Royal Engineers,soldiers) contained in(tuck into) OVER-ACT(a bad actor,ham whose acting is obviously unnatural and too much)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Beef is excellent (5)	### Answer: BULLY ### Explanation: Definition: Beef,excellent Double defn: 1st: Boiled beef, from the French for boiled, bouilli; and 2nd: Well done!,excellent! As in bully for you!
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Reveal record on waste (8)	### Answer: DISCLOSE ### Explanation: Definition: Reveal DISC(a disc,record made of plastic, as a means of recording sound, that you could reproduce on your record player. An ancestor of the audio tape, compact disc, and hard disk) plus(on) LOSE(shed,waste, eg. kilograms of your body weight especially from illness)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Many poke fun at Yank (4)	### Answer: DRAG ### Explanation: Definition: Yank D(Roman numeral for 500,many) RAG(tease,poke fun at, often reserved for newcomers joining school or college) Defn: The verb, not the American.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Fighting under officer, more than one die showing timidity (9)	### Answer: COWARDICE ### Explanation: Definition: timidity WAR(combat,fighting) placed after(under, in a down clue) CO($$C$$ommanding $$O$$fficer) plus DICE(plural,more than one of "die", a small cube used in various games of chance)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Pitch where drinks are taken through a straw (5,4)	### Answer: SALES TALK ### Explanation: Definition: Pitch ALES(drinks,beers) contained in(taken through) STALK(a long, cylindrical slender part of a plant, commonly supporting a leaf, flower, that becomes straw when cut and dried, and that looks like, well, a straw). I've sometimes seen players take drinks through a straw. Makes this 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: Municipality supports change of rota leading to outrage (8)	### Answer: ATROCITY ### Explanation: Definition: outrage CITY(a municipality,a definition of a densely populated area and its inhabitants for purposes of government) placed after(supports, in a down clue) anagram of(change of) ROTA
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 number working for a time (4)	### Answer: NOON ### Explanation: Definition: time NO.(with a period after it, short for number) ON(working, as in "you're on tonight")
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Deer eat head of lettuce in the US (7)	### Answer: ROMAINE ### Explanation: Definition: lettuce in the US ROE(the roe deer of Eurasia, the most famous of whom was Bambi) containing(eat) MAIN(head,the important bit,chief) Defn: Another word for the cos lettuce, given in some references as of US and Canadian usage, though my experience is that the word is used quite extensively around the world.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Be inclined to keep work of the highest quality (3-3)	### Answer: TOP-END ### Explanation: Definition: of the highest quality TEND(be inclined to,tend to,have a leaning towards) containing(keep) OP($$op$$us,piece of work, usually musical)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Dutch king's private sink (5)	### Answer: DROWN ### Explanation: Definition: sink D($$D$$utch) R(from $$R$$ex,king) OWN(one's,private,not for 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: Shot a scene (5)	### Answer: DRAMA ### Explanation: Definition: scene DRAM(a small drink of liquor,a shot) plus A
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Artist represented watery scene? (6)	### Answer: STRAIT ### Explanation: Definition: watery scene Anagram of(represented) ARTIST Defn: A stretch of water between land masses, could be part of, well, a watery scene.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: African politicians imprisoned for dance? (6)	### Answer: CANCAN ### Explanation: Definition: dance ANC(abbrev. for the $$A$$frican $$N$$ational $$C$$ongress,the now South African political party that started as an anti-apartheid nationalist movement) contained(imprisoned,in CAN,slang for prison) Defn: The French dance featuring high-kicks and the splits
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Front of oven sealed by one trying out kitchen equipment (7)	### Answer: TOASTER ### Explanation: Definition: kitchen equipment O(initial letter,front of oven) contained in(sealed by) TASTER(one trying out,tasting)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Brave quartet eschewing journey in pursuit of pleasure (7)	### Answer: GALLANT ### Explanation: Definition: Brave IV(Roman numeral for four,quartet) deleted from(eschewing) GALLivANT(jaunt,journey in pursuit of pleasure,or, commonly, a Saturday night out) Defn: Another meaning to the word usually associated with chivalry
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 Man Risen" I ordered for religious trainee (10)	### Answer: SEMINARIAN ### Explanation: Definition: religious trainee Anagram of(ordered) A MAN RISEN I Defn: A trainee at a seminary, a special school providing religious teaching mainly to prepare students for a religious calling
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 criminals maybe in place for fight (4)	### Answer: RING ### Explanation: Definition: Group of criminals,place for fight Double defn. 2nd: As in a boxing 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: First of all supremo wants everyone actively tackling hard work (5)	### Answer: SWEAT ### Explanation: Definition: hard work Initial letters,first of all of Supremo Wants Everyone Actively Tackling
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Edict disposing of last mine, past its best (8)	### Answer: DECREPIT ### Explanation: Definition: past its best DECRE(edict,DECREe minus,disposing of its last letter) PIT(mine,hole in the ground to extract 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: After vacation, trusty circle arranged transport for children (8)	### Answer: TRICYCLE ### Explanation: Definition: transport for children Anagram of(arranged) [TY(TrustY minus its inner letters,after vacation,emptying) CIRCLE] Defn: A three wheeled cycle for children before they graduate to the bicycle, but…
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 street in US city becomes unpleasant (5)	### Answer: NASTY ### Explanation: Definition: unpleasant A ST(abbrev. for street) contained in(in) NY(New York,US city)
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 North African land (uncultivated) (4)	### Answer: MOOR ### Explanation: Definition: Old North African,land (uncultivated) Double defn. 1st: Member of Muslim northwest African people of mixed Arab and Berber descent, who invaded Spain in the 8C until driven out by end of 15C
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Inept beginning for awkward mother, her suit's crumpled (10)	### Answer: AMATEURISH ### Explanation: Definition: Inept A(initial letter of,beginning for awkward) MA(mother) plus anagram of(cumpled) HER 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: Take on board French priest, suitable to be welcomed (7)	### Answer: CAPTURE ### Explanation: Definition: Take, on board APT(suitable,fitting) contained in(on board,to be welcomed) CURE(with the acute accent over the E, a French parish priest). There seems to be two containment indicators. Edit.note: comment #5 – "on board" would be part of the defn. Defn: Forcibly or tactically take possession of eg. an opponent's piece in a board game like chess.
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 tears after operatic heroine's imitation (7)	### Answer: MIMICRY ### Explanation: Definition: imitation CRY(shed tears) placed after(after) MIMI(heroine in the opera La Boheme, the Puccini version overshadowing Leoncavallo's) Defn: Life's imitation of other life or non-life for various purposes eg. defence, and entrapment Cuckoos' eggs mimicry and their targets
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Breadwinner's essential for those studying at school (6)	### Answer: EARNER ### Explanation: Definition: Breadwinner The inner,essential letters of lEARNERs(those studying, eg. at school)
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 from church, coat is needed (6)	### Answer: FLEECE ### Explanation: Definition: coat FLEE(escape,run away from) CE($$C$$hurch of $$E$$ngland)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Support coastal area (5)	### Answer: SHORE ### Explanation: Definition: Support,coastal area 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: Especially enthralled by ceremony that brings relief (7)	### Answer: RESPITE ### Explanation: Definition: relief ESP(abbrev. for especially) contained in(enthralled by) RITE(ceremony)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Supply not sensitive to price changes in the Spanish wine clubs (9)	### Answer: INELASTIC ### Explanation: Definition: Supply not sensitive to price changes IN EL(the definite article the in Spanish) ASTI(Italian bubbly,sparkling wine made in the region around the town of the same name) C(abbrev. for clubs, the playing cards suit, as used in eg. bridge notation) Defn: In case you would like an explanation – Economics 101: Assuming consumers are "rational" and other factors remain constant, the total demand for a commodity usually decreases with increasing price. A commodity's demand is inelastic if, the total demand for it is relatively unchanged in spite of,not sensitive to a wide range of price changes. This is commonly evident for basic necessities like a staple food – you must have it, whatever the price. The same can be said for the supply-price relationship, but in the reverse direction.
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 military commander at home once more (5)	### Answer: AGAIN ### Explanation: Definition: once more AGA(Former military commander in Turkey and other Muslim countries) IN(at home)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: California's gold that is reference unit for consumers (7)	### Answer: CALORIE ### Explanation: Definition: reference unit for consumers CAL(one of the abbrevs. for California) OR(the gold metal or colour) IE(that is, in Latin, $$i$$d $$e$$st) Defn: The standard,reference unit of the fuel or energy value of food taken in by consumers
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Inn not yet busy, it's no reputation (9)	### Answer: NONENTITY ### Explanation: Definition: no reputation Anagram of(busy) INN NOT YET Defn: Descriptive of one with no reputation,a nobody
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Buyer and seller, he's in the right place here (9)	### Answer: MIDDLEMAN ### Explanation: Definition: Buyer and seller The word man,he's in the middle of,in the right place here,the clue. Edit.note: Re comments #2 and 4, "in the right place here" refers to the middle of the grid, rather than the clue. Defn: One who buys and sells, in turn the same product within a very short time or even simultaneously, ie. both buyer and seller, sometimes called a reseller
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 standing in Eurostar, nervously protective of girl initially (9)	### Answer: SURROGATE ### Explanation: Definition: One standing in Anagram of(nervously) EUROSTAR containing(protective of) G(first letter,initially of girl) Defn: A substitute standing in for someone else, as in a surrogate mother, courtesy of modern medicine
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Having similar interests, could be nice to take along rambling (9)	### Answer: CONGENIAL ### Explanation: Definition: Having similar interests Anagram of (rambling) [NICE plus(to take) ALONG]. Is "could be" another anagram indicator?
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Cultural employee, first to conserve our art perhaps (7)	### Answer: CURATOR ### Explanation: Definition: Cultural employee C(initial letter of,first to conserve) plus anagram of(perhaps) OUR ART Defn: A caretaker of cultural artefacts, including art pieces, an employee especially in a museum or gallery. A wonderful &lit.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Opening move in court (7)	### Answer: SERVICE ### Explanation: Definition: Opening move in court Cryptic defn: First stroke,opening move to start a game on the tennis 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: Have the same opinion "An intense desire must be curtailed" (5)	### Answer: AGREE ### Explanation: Definition: Have the same opinion A(an,indefinite article) GREE(intense desire,GREEd without its last letter,must be curtailed)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Cleanser gets used to some extent for fabric (5)	### Answer: SERGE ### Explanation: Definition: fabric Hidden in(used to some extent) cleanSER GEts Couldn't find any interesting images of the fabric, but found this French Serge with Brigitte and Jane
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's first in one form of accommodation or another (6)	### Answer: HOSTEL ### Explanation: Definition: another S(student's first,initial letter) contained in(in) HOTEL(one form of accommodation) Defn: Another form of accommodation, usually for students. Some intertwining between wordplay and 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: Don't mention a festival in spring (8)	### Answer: PASSOVER ### Explanation: Definition: a festival in spring PASS OVER(skip over,don't mention) Defn: A Jewish festival in early spring
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 those who serve may be served (5)	### Answer: NAAFI ### Explanation: Definition: Where those who serve may be served Cryptic defn: Abbrev. for $$N$$avy $$A$$rmy and $$A$$ir $$F$$orce $$I$$nstitutes, an organization that caters to,serves the recreational needs of British military forces,those who serve, around the world. It runs clubs, bars, shops, supermarkets, restaurants, cafés and other facilities at British military bases.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Black egg carried back by boy is shattered after flight (3-6)	### Answer: JET-LAGGED ### Explanation: Definition: shattered after flight JET(black geological material, derived from decayed wood under extreme pressure, used as gemstone) plus {reversal of(back) EGG contained in(carried … by) LAD(boy)} Defn: Feeling of being shattered after a long flight spanning time zones, resulting from the disturbance of your Circadian bio-rhythms
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Hurried to compose a sad theme with variations (4,5)	### Answer: MADE HASTE ### Explanation: Definition: Hurried Anagram of(compose,with variations) A SAD THEME. Two anagrinds?
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Young people have pole placed in river (5)	### Answer: TEENS ### Explanation: Definition: Young people N(north pole) contained in(placed in) TEES(river in northern England, rising in the Pennines and flowing into the North Sea Defn: Short form for "teenagers", young people from thirteen to nineteen years of 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: Be unable to decide if foolish woman's slurred (6-6)	### Answer: SHILLY-SHALLY ### Explanation: Definition: Be unable to decide SILLY SALLY(foolish woman) pronounced in a slurred manner, where the esshesh are not shibilant, eg. after a few. Defn: To dilly-dally, and perhaps be wishy-washy too
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Enriched sand processed to make porcelain (7,5)	### Answer: DRESDEN CHINA ### Explanation: Definition: porcelain Anagram of(processed to make) ENRICHED SAND Defn: Also called Meissen porcelain made in the city of the same name, near Dresden, Germany. Nice surface as porcelain is made from clay, which shares the same silicate compounds, as sand.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Yorkshire city comes first, by the sound of it (5)	### Answer: LEEDS ### Explanation: Definition: Yorkshire city Homophone of(by the sound of it) leads,comes first
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Source of fruit possibly making Eve loiter (5,4)	### Answer: OLIVE TREE ### Explanation: Definition: Source of fruit Anagram of(possibly making) EVE LOITER

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### Clue: Hail enters two points in part of roof (5)

### Answer: EAVES ### Explanation: Definition: part of roof AVE(greet,*hail*) in(*enters*) E&S($$e$$ast & $$s$$outh, *two* compass *points*) Defn: That *part* between the overhanging *roof* and outside wall of a building. Convenient place for birds to build their nests, wasps alike, and bees their hives. "Eavesdrop" derives from this word, as the water dripping from the eaves is in a position to listen to what's said in the building.

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### Clue: Some acts do this in prison break (8)

### Answer: PLAYTIME ### Explanation: Definition: break PLAY(theatrical play which is made up of *some acts*) + TIME(what a criminal *does* *in prison*) Defn: A recess *break* in school, especially for younger children

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### Clue: Left out in the end by top editor (6)

### Answer: ELIDED ### Explanation: Definition: Left out E(last letter,*end* of the word *the*) + LID(*top* of a container) + ED(short for *$$ed$$itor*) Defn: To strike out,omit,*leave out* something written. Nice surface as it's exactly what an editor might do.

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### Clue: Trick one hospital worker (7)

### Answer: ARTISAN ### Explanation: Definition: worker ART(guile,cunning,*trick*) + I(Roman numeral for *one*) + SAN(short for sanatorium,sanitarium in US,a place for unhealthy people to recover, like a *hospital*, you could say)

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### Clue: Floor shows no more in France (7)

### Answer: NONPLUS ### Explanation: Definition: Floor NON(*no* in what they speak *in France*) + PLUS(similarly for *more*) Defn: To completely puzzle,confuse someone, thus figuratively knocking him/her to the *floor*.

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### Clue: Relative monstrosity is carbohydrate-free (5)

### Answer: UNCLE ### Explanation: Definition: Relative Carbuncle(a skin eruption, larger than a boil, caused by a staphylococcal(staph) infection, would look like a *monstrosity* in an extreme case) without(*free*) of carb(short for *carbohydrate*). (No graphics in deference to the squeamish.)

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### Clue: Nicky and Nico – but not Nicholas? (9)

### Answer: NICKNAMES ### Explanation: Definition: Nicky and Nico Cryptic defn: The full name, *Nicholas* is a "Nick" name, *but not* a nickname

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### Clue: Model leapt after following this instruction (7,5)

### Answer: FASHION PLATE ### Explanation: Definition: Model,leapt after following this instruction Double defn : 1st : One who dresses in the latest fashion and can therefore serve as a *model* for others to follow; and 2nd : The *instruction*, "fashion (the word) plate" which *after following* gives its anagram "*leapt*".

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### Clue: Tiny ship with cargo of wood and fast food? (6,6)

### Answer: MINUTE STEAKS ### Explanation: Definition: fast food? MINUTE(small,*tiny*) + SS(SS so and so,steam*ship*) around(*with cargo*) TEAK(type of hard timber,*wood*) Defn: Thin pieces of meat which can be cooked quite quickly (in a minute?), and can therefore be called *fast food* with a *?*, as you can't get them at fast food outlets.

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### Clue: Type more practical if saints are included (4,5)

### Answer: SANS SERIF ### Explanation: Definition: Type SS(s = saint, ss = *saints*) in(*are included*) in {SANER(less woolly thinking,*more practical*) + *IF*} Defn: *Type*face without small projections at the end of character strokes. Sans Serif & Serif(the red parts)

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### Clue: Mystic took the waters by head of the Indus (5)

### Answer: SWAMI ### Explanation: Definition: Mystic SWAM(*taking the waters* means to go to a spa, to bath, drink, etc. for one's health, I suppose you could also swim in it) + I(initial letter,*head* of *Indus*) Defn: An honorific title given to a Hindu religious teacher. Nice surface as you'll find water and swamis at the Indus River.

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### Clue: Believe wise men visited home going towards the Orient (7)

### Answer: IMAGINE ### Explanation: Definition: Believe MAGI(*wise men* who paid homage to the infant Jesus) in(*visited*) IN(at *home*) +(*going towards*) E($$E$$ast,*the Orient*)

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### Clue: Plan to orbit moon in ancient vehicle (7)

### Answer: CHARIOT ### Explanation: Definition: ancient vehicle CHART(*plan* showing, eg. course of action, flow diagram) around(*to orbit*) IO(one of Jupiter's 4 largest *moon*s, with 60 other tiny ones)

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### Clue: Want empty lampshade with spur (6)

### Answer: NEEDLE ### Explanation: Definition: spur NEED(what one requires, strictly speaking something essential, compared to "*want*","desire") LE(letters of "*lampshade*" without its inner letters,*empty*)

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### Clue: To demand sex appeal is to invite punishment (3,3,2)

### Answer: ASK FOR IT ### Explanation: Definition: to invite punishment ASK FOR(*to demand*) IT(those who have "it" have oodles of *sex appeal*). I think this clue works as well with fewer words if "appeal" were left out (becomes a double defn. then)

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### Clue: Trophy filling could be the result (6)

### Answer: PLAQUE ### Explanation: Definition: Trophy,filling could be the result Double defn: 1st : A commemorative piece flat metal or wood, can be displayed as a *trophy*; and 2nd : Dental plaque (there are other types too), soft sticky film attached to teeth enamel, formed by bacteria growth, hardening to form yellowish tartar. Plaque can give rise to tooth decay and cavities, which *could* require *filling* as a *result*.

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### Clue: Fit resulting from a deviation round team leader (6)

### Answer: ATTACK ### Explanation: Definition: Fit A TACK(a course of action or conduct that differs,is *a deviation* from a previous course, thus, one changes tack to surprise one's opponents) *round* T(initial letter,*leader* of the word "*team*")

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### Clue: Challenge when reflective minds included hypercube (9)

### Answer: TESSERACT ### Explanation: Definition: hypercube Reversal(*reflective*) of CARES(tends to,looks after,*minds*) in(*included*) TEST(a trial,*challenge*) Defn: One for the mathematicians, a *cube* with an extra dimenstion,*hyper* to the normal 3. Can't explain more than that – it's all in the mathematician's mind.

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### Clue: Anybody in island surrounded by traffic? (3,2,3,6)

### Answer: MAN IN THE STREET ### Explanation: Definition: Anybody MAN(Isle of Man, *island* in the Irish Sea) + IN THE STREET(where you'll be *surrounded by traffic*).

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### Clue: For security, wrap new fabric (5)

### Answer: LINEN ### Explanation: Definition: fabric LIEN(what the bank has on your property as *security* for a loan, say) around(*wrap*) N(*$$n$$ew*)

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### Clue: End up on top of literary heroine's problems (8)

### Answer: DILEMMAS ### Explanation: Definition: problems Reversal(*up*, in a down clue) of LID(the top *end* of a container) +(*on top*) of EMMA(Jane Austen *heroine* in the novel of the same name)*'S

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### Clue: I withdrew after reviewing satirised tragedy (8)

### Answer: DISASTER ### Explanation: Definition: tragedy Anagram(*after reviewing*) of SATRISED(letters of "*satirised*" without,*withdrew* "*I*")

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### Clue: Criticise continuously and stuff the consequences (5-2,7)

### Answer: KNOCK-ON EFFECTS ### Explanation: Definition: the consequences KNOCK(*criticise*) ON(on and on,*continuously*) EFFECTS(*stuff* and things as in personal effects) Defn: A chain of *consequences*, like dominoes falling down.

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### Clue: It is plain that man is being pursued by carnivorous fish (9)

### Answer: PIKESTAFF ### Explanation: Definition: It is plain STAFF(the verb, to *man*,provide staff) +(*is being pursued by*) PIKE(*carnivorous fish*, a big fish that eats little fish, and other aquatic/amphibous animals). Imagine that the whole word is moving from left to right, in which case it looks as if "pike" is pursuing "staff". Defn: From the simile, "as *plain* as a pikestaff", which can be quite an insulting thing to say.

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### Clue: Going out on internet quest? (8)

### Answer: EMISSION ### Explanation: Definition: Going out E(short for $$e$$lectronic in things, well, electronic, like email, eBay, e-banking, just add the "e" in front, associated with the *internet*) MISSION(a search for an objective,*quest*)

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### Clue: In international organisation, determine the age of flood (8)

### Answer: INUNDATE ### Explanation: Definition: flood *IN* UN(United Nations,*international organization*) + DATE(to *determine the age* *of*) something, eg. rocks in geology, artefacts in archaeology)

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### Clue: Cook a vicar's eggs (6)

### Answer: CAVIAR ### Explanation: Definition: eggs Anagram(*cook*) of *A VICAR

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### Clue: Some raised protest at kidnapper's one-sided demand (6)

### Answer: DIKTAT ### Explanation: Definition: one-sided demand Hidden(*some*) and reversed(*raised*, in a down clue) in *protesT AT KIDnapper's* Defn: A harsh punitive decree,*demand* imposed unilaterally,*one-sided* on eg. a defeated nation.

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### Clue: Static is inaudible (5)

### Answer: STILL ### Explanation: Definition: Static,inaudible Double defn.

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### Clue: College to offer additional weapon (8)

### Answer: CLAYMORE ### Explanation: Definition: weapon C(college) LAY(to offer,treat, as in "lay on a grand dinner") MORE(extra,additional) Defn: From Scottish Gaelic "great sword", a long two-handed sword

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### Clue: Outlaw in favour of offer (6)

### Answer: FORBID ### Explanation: Definition: Outlaw FOR(in favour of,pro) BID(offer,tender,quotation for a piece of business)

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### Clue: Wild USA rebel can be employed again (8)

### Answer: REUSABLE ### Explanation: Definition: can be employed again *Anagram of*(wild) USA REBEL

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### Clue: FT staff promote retiring film director (6)

### Answer: WELLES ### Explanation: Definition: film director WE(what the staff of where this crossword is found, the $$F$$inancial $$T$$imes, use to refer to themselves) *plus* *reversal of*(retiring) SELL(verb, to promote,persuade) Defn: Orson 1915-1985, director, actor, screenwriter, producer in radio, theatre, film, and television, and all-round genius in his field. His first movie was the classic Citizen Kane.

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### Clue: Goddesses succeeded after fellow had a meal (5)

### Answer: FATES ### Explanation: Definition: Goddesses S($$s$$ucceeded) *placed after* {F(fellow, as in qualifications like FRCS, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons) ATE(had a meal)} Defn: The three goddesses in Greek mythology, and their Roman or Germanic equivalents, who determined the future of every mortal from birth to death.

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### Clue: Picture requires light through doorway (9)

### Answer: PORTRAYAL ### Explanation: Definition: Picture RAY(a beam of light) *contained in*(through) PORTAL(doorway, including figuratively, as used in the Internet)

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### Clue: Charlie leaves boat for shrine (6)

### Answer: ORACLE ### Explanation: Definition: shrine c(C for Charlie in phonetic alphabet) *deleted from*(leaves) cORACLE(a small, round or very broad boat)

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### Clue: Help in making out with good girls (7)

### Answer: GLASSES ### Explanation: Definition: Help in making out G(good) LASSES(girls) Defn: What you need to help you make out,discern,focus if you're myopic. If you look studious with them on, will "good" girls make out (a different meaning) with you? Nice surface.

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### Clue: Brawl interrupts fine play in football match (5-2)

### Answer: THROW-IN ### Explanation: Definition: play in football match ROW(brawl,punch-up) *contained in*(interrupts) THIN(fine, as in "a fine,thin layer of dust" or "cut it fine,thin") Defn: For non-soccer fans, how the ball is put back into play after going beyond the sidelines – a two handed overhead throw into the field with both feet on the ground.

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### Clue: Unsettle the conductor (6)

### Answer: RATTLE ### Explanation: Definition: Unsettle,the conductor Double defn: 1st: Make someone uncomfortable,nervous; and 2nd: Sir Simon, British orchestral conductor, now conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic.

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### Clue: Requisition brotherhood's criminal record (5,4)

### Answer: ORDER FORM ### Explanation: Definition: Requisition ORDER(brotherhood of a religious type,a monastic society or fraternity) FORM(British slang for criminal record) Defn: What you put your requisition details on. Pre the electronic age, you used to have to fill it in multiplicate, with carbon paper and signatures galore.

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### Clue: Club in which the password is courage (5)

### Answer: DISCO ### Explanation: Definition: Club *Hidden in* passworD IS COurage Defn: Short for "discotheque", a music and dance club in the 70s, with disco bands and music and that "mirror-ball". And there's even a postage stamp.

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### Clue: It's paradoxical that one club backs another (6)

### Answer: IRONIC ### Explanation: Definition: It's paradoxical IC(1,one=I club, one of the 4 suits in a deck of playing cards) placed after(backs) IRON(another club, used by golfers, whose head is flat and made of steel, close enough to iron I guess)

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### Clue: Give a car overhaul in official residence (8)

### Answer: VICARAGE ### Explanation: Definition: official residence *Anagram of*(overhaul) GIVE A CAR Defn: The official residence of the vicar, where you'd have tea with the vicar by invitation.

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### Clue: Rodney knocked about over there (6)

### Answer: YONDER ### Explanation: Definition: over there *Anagram of*(knocked about) RODNEY

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### Clue: Commented about evangelist to journalist (8)

### Answer: REMARKED ### Explanation: Definition: Commented RE(about,referring to) MARK(the apostle,early evangelist) *plus*(to) ED(short for editor/editress, presumably he/she, at least used to be a journalist)

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### Clue: Vessel for a service in church (6)

### Answer: CARAFE ### Explanation: Definition: Vessel {A *plus* RAF(Royal Air Force, one of the services in the British military)} *contained in*(in) CE($$C$$hurch of $$E$$ngland)

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### Clue: Married man who later rued arrangement (9)

### Answer: ADULTERER ### Explanation: Definition: Married man who later rued arrangement *Anagram of*(arrangement) LATER RUED. Definition and wordplay deliciously intertwined. My COD

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### Clue: Intends to make money (5)

### Answer: MEANS ### Explanation: Definition: Intends,money Double defn: 1st: Verb, as in "say what you mean and mean what you say" ; and 2nd: What one has to spend,live on,etc. as in "woman of independent means".

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### Clue: Unexpected deterioration makes Romeo slip away (7)

### Answer: RELAPSE ### Explanation: Definition: Unexpected deterioration R(R for Romeo in phonetic alphabet) ELAPSE(referring to the passage of time,pass by,slip away) Defn: Just when you thought you were recovering and doing well (usually from an illness), this hits you by surprise.

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### Clue: Lose sense of proportion when soldiers tuck into ham (9)

### Answer: OVERREACT ### Explanation: Definition: Lose sense of proportion RE(Royal Engineers,soldiers) *contained in*(tuck into) OVER-ACT(a bad actor,ham whose acting is obviously unnatural and too much)

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### Clue: Beef is excellent (5)

### Answer: BULLY ### Explanation: Definition: Beef,excellent Double defn: 1st: Boiled beef, from the French for boiled, bouilli; and 2nd: Well done!,excellent! As in bully for you!

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### Clue: Reveal record on waste (8)

### Answer: DISCLOSE ### Explanation: Definition: Reveal DISC(a disc,record made of plastic, as a means of recording sound, that you could reproduce on your record player. An ancestor of the audio tape, compact disc, and hard disk) *plus*(on) LOSE(shed,waste, eg. kilograms of your body weight especially from illness)

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### Clue: Many poke fun at Yank (4)

### Answer: DRAG ### Explanation: Definition: Yank D(Roman numeral for 500,many) RAG(tease,poke fun at, often reserved for newcomers joining school or college) Defn: The verb, not the American.

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### Clue: Fighting under officer, more than one die showing timidity (9)

### Answer: COWARDICE ### Explanation: Definition: timidity WAR(combat,fighting) *placed after*(under, in a down clue) CO($$C$$ommanding $$O$$fficer) *plus* DICE(plural,more than one of "die", a small cube used in various games of chance)

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### Clue: Pitch where drinks are taken through a straw (5,4)

### Answer: SALES TALK ### Explanation: Definition: Pitch ALES(drinks,beers) *contained in*(taken through) STALK(a long, cylindrical slender part of a plant, commonly supporting a leaf, flower, that becomes straw when cut and dried, and that looks like, well, a straw). I've sometimes seen players take drinks through a straw. Makes this a nice surface.

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### Clue: Municipality supports change of rota leading to outrage (8)

### Answer: ATROCITY ### Explanation: Definition: outrage CITY(a municipality,a definition of a densely populated area and its inhabitants for purposes of government) *placed after*(supports, in a down clue) *anagram of*(change of) ROTA

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### Clue: A number working for a time (4)

### Answer: NOON ### Explanation: Definition: time NO.(with a period after it, short for number) ON(working, as in "you're on tonight")

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### Clue: Deer eat head of lettuce in the US (7)

### Answer: ROMAINE ### Explanation: Definition: lettuce in the US ROE(the roe deer of Eurasia, the most famous of whom was Bambi) *containing*(eat) MAIN(head,the important bit,chief) Defn: Another word for the cos lettuce, given in some references as of US and Canadian usage, though my experience is that the word is used quite extensively around the world.

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### Clue: Be inclined to keep work of the highest quality (3-3)

### Answer: TOP-END ### Explanation: Definition: of the highest quality TEND(be inclined to,tend to,have a leaning towards) *containing*(keep) OP($$op$$us,piece of work, usually musical)

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### Clue: Dutch king's private sink (5)

### Answer: DROWN ### Explanation: Definition: sink D($$D$$utch) R(from $$R$$ex,king) OWN(one's,private,not for others)

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### Clue: Shot a scene (5)

### Answer: DRAMA ### Explanation: Definition: scene DRAM(a small drink of liquor,a shot) *plus* A

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### Clue: Artist represented watery scene? (6)

### Answer: STRAIT ### Explanation: Definition: watery scene *Anagram of*(represented) ARTIST Defn: A stretch of water between land masses, could be part of, well, a watery scene.

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### Clue: African politicians imprisoned for dance? (6)

### Answer: CANCAN ### Explanation: Definition: dance ANC(abbrev. for the $$A$$frican $$N$$ational $$C$$ongress,the now South African political party that started as an anti-apartheid nationalist movement) *contained*(imprisoned,in CAN,slang for prison) Defn: The French dance featuring high-kicks and the splits

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### Clue: Front of oven sealed by one trying out kitchen equipment (7)

### Answer: TOASTER ### Explanation: Definition: kitchen equipment O(initial letter,front of oven) *contained in*(sealed by) TASTER(one trying out,tasting)

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### Clue: Brave quartet eschewing journey in pursuit of pleasure (7)

### Answer: GALLANT ### Explanation: Definition: Brave IV(Roman numeral for four,quartet) *deleted from*(eschewing) GALLivANT(jaunt,journey in pursuit of pleasure,or, commonly, a Saturday night out) Defn: Another meaning to the word usually associated with chivalry

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### Clue: A Man Risen" I ordered for religious trainee (10)

### Answer: SEMINARIAN ### Explanation: Definition: religious trainee *Anagram of*(ordered) A MAN RISEN I Defn: A trainee at a seminary, a special school providing religious teaching mainly to prepare students for a religious calling

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### Clue: Group of criminals maybe in place for fight (4)

### Answer: RING ### Explanation: Definition: Group of criminals,place for fight Double defn. 2nd: As in a boxing ring

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### Clue: First of all supremo wants everyone actively tackling hard work (5)

### Answer: SWEAT ### Explanation: Definition: hard work Initial letters,first of all of Supremo Wants Everyone Actively Tackling

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### Clue: Edict disposing of last mine, past its best (8)

### Answer: DECREPIT ### Explanation: Definition: past its best DECRE(edict,DECREe *minus*,disposing of its last letter) PIT(mine,hole in the ground to extract minerals)

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### Clue: After vacation, trusty circle arranged transport for children (8)

### Answer: TRICYCLE ### Explanation: Definition: transport for children *Anagram of*(arranged) [TY(TrustY *minus* its inner letters,after vacation,emptying) CIRCLE] Defn: A three wheeled cycle for children before they graduate to the bicycle, but…

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### Clue: A street in US city becomes unpleasant (5)

### Answer: NASTY ### Explanation: Definition: unpleasant A ST(abbrev. for street) *contained in*(in) NY(New York,US city)

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### Clue: Old North African land (uncultivated) (4)

### Answer: MOOR ### Explanation: Definition: Old North African,land (uncultivated) Double defn. 1st: Member of Muslim northwest African people of mixed Arab and Berber descent, who invaded Spain in the 8C until driven out by end of 15C

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### Clue: Inept beginning for awkward mother, her suit's crumpled (10)

### Answer: AMATEURISH ### Explanation: Definition: Inept A(initial letter of,beginning for awkward) MA(mother) *plus* *anagram of*(cumpled) HER SUIT

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### Clue: Take on board French priest, suitable to be welcomed (7)

### Answer: CAPTURE ### Explanation: Definition: Take, on board APT(suitable,fitting) *contained in*(on board,to be welcomed) CURE(with the acute accent over the E, a French parish priest). There seems to be two containment indicators. Edit.note: comment #5 – "on board" would be part of the defn. Defn: Forcibly or tactically take possession of eg. an opponent's piece in a board game like chess.

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### Clue: Shed tears after operatic heroine's imitation (7)

### Answer: MIMICRY ### Explanation: Definition: imitation CRY(shed tears) *placed after*(after) MIMI(heroine in the opera La Boheme, the Puccini version overshadowing Leoncavallo's) Defn: Life's imitation of other life or non-life for various purposes eg. defence, and entrapment Cuckoos' eggs mimicry and their targets

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### Clue: Breadwinner's essential for those studying at school (6)

### Answer: EARNER ### Explanation: Definition: Breadwinner The inner,essential letters of lEARNERs(those studying, eg. at school)

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### Clue: Run away from church, coat is needed (6)

### Answer: FLEECE ### Explanation: Definition: coat FLEE(escape,run away from) CE($$C$$hurch of $$E$$ngland)

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### Clue: Support coastal area (5)

### Answer: SHORE ### Explanation: Definition: Support,coastal area Double defn.

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### Clue: Especially enthralled by ceremony that brings relief (7)

### Answer: RESPITE ### Explanation: Definition: relief ESP(abbrev. for especially) *contained in*(enthralled by) RITE(ceremony)

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### Clue: Supply not sensitive to price changes in the Spanish wine clubs (9)

### Answer: INELASTIC ### Explanation: Definition: Supply not sensitive to price changes IN EL(the definite article the in Spanish) ASTI(Italian bubbly,sparkling wine made in the region around the town of the same name) C(abbrev. for clubs, the playing cards suit, as used in eg. bridge notation) Defn: In case you would like an explanation – Economics 101: Assuming consumers are "rational" and other factors remain constant, the total demand for a commodity usually decreases with increasing price. A commodity's demand is inelastic if, the total demand for it is relatively unchanged in spite of,not sensitive to a wide range of price changes. This is commonly evident for basic necessities like a staple food – you must have it, whatever the price. The same can be said for the supply-price relationship, but in the reverse direction.

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### Clue: Old military commander at home once more (5)

### Answer: AGAIN ### Explanation: Definition: once more AGA(Former military commander in Turkey and other Muslim countries) IN(at home)

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### Clue: California's gold that is reference unit for consumers (7)

### Answer: CALORIE ### Explanation: Definition: reference unit for consumers CAL(one of the abbrevs. for California) OR(the gold metal or colour) IE(that is, in Latin, $$i$$d $$e$$st) Defn: The standard,reference unit of the fuel or energy value of food taken in by consumers

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### Clue: Inn not yet busy, it's no reputation (9)

### Answer: NONENTITY ### Explanation: Definition: no reputation *Anagram of*(busy) INN NOT YET Defn: Descriptive of one with no reputation,a nobody

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### Clue: Buyer and seller, he's in the right place here (9)

### Answer: MIDDLEMAN ### Explanation: Definition: Buyer and seller The word man,he's in the middle of,in the right place here,the clue. Edit.note: Re comments #2 and 4, "in the right place here" refers to the middle of the grid, rather than the clue. Defn: One who buys and sells, in turn the same product within a very short time or even simultaneously, ie. both buyer and seller, sometimes called a reseller

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### Clue: One standing in Eurostar, nervously protective of girl initially (9)

### Answer: SURROGATE ### Explanation: Definition: One standing in *Anagram of*(nervously) EUROSTAR *containing*(protective of) G(first letter,initially of girl) Defn: A substitute standing in for someone else, as in a surrogate mother, courtesy of modern medicine

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### Clue: Having similar interests, could be nice to take along rambling (9)

### Answer: CONGENIAL ### Explanation: Definition: Having similar interests *Anagram of* (rambling) [NICE *plus*(to take) ALONG]. Is "could be" another anagram indicator?

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### Clue: Cultural employee, first to conserve our art perhaps (7)

### Answer: CURATOR ### Explanation: Definition: Cultural employee C(initial letter of,first to conserve) *plus* *anagram of*(perhaps) OUR ART Defn: A caretaker of cultural artefacts, including art pieces, an employee especially in a museum or gallery. A wonderful &lit.

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### Clue: Opening move in court (7)

### Answer: SERVICE ### Explanation: Definition: Opening move in court Cryptic defn: First stroke,opening move to start a game on the tennis court

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### Clue: Have the same opinion "An intense desire must be curtailed" (5)

### Answer: AGREE ### Explanation: Definition: Have the same opinion A(an,indefinite article) GREE(intense desire,GREEd without its last letter,must be curtailed)

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### Clue: Cleanser gets used to some extent for fabric (5)

### Answer: SERGE ### Explanation: Definition: fabric *Hidden in*(used to some extent) cleanSER GEts Couldn't find any interesting images of the fabric, but found this French Serge with Brigitte and Jane

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### Clue: Student's first in one form of accommodation or another (6)

### Answer: HOSTEL ### Explanation: Definition: another S(student's first,initial letter) **contained in**(in) HOTEL(one form of accommodation) Defn: Another form of accommodation, usually for students. Some intertwining between wordplay and definition

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### Clue: Don't mention a festival in spring (8)

### Answer: PASSOVER ### Explanation: Definition: a festival in spring PASS OVER(skip over,don't mention) Defn: A Jewish festival in early spring

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### Clue: Where those who serve may be served (5)

### Answer: NAAFI ### Explanation: Definition: Where those who serve may be served Cryptic defn: Abbrev. for $$N$$avy $$A$$rmy and $$A$$ir $$F$$orce $$I$$nstitutes, an organization that caters to,serves the recreational needs of British military forces,those who serve, around the world. It runs clubs, bars, shops, supermarkets, restaurants, cafés and other facilities at British military bases.

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### Clue: Black egg carried back by boy is shattered after flight (3-6)

### Answer: JET-LAGGED ### Explanation: Definition: shattered after flight JET(black geological material, derived from decayed wood under extreme pressure, used as gemstone) **plus** {**reversal of**(back) EGG **contained in**(carried … by) LAD(boy)} Defn: Feeling of being shattered after a long flight spanning time zones, resulting from the disturbance of your Circadian bio-rhythms

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### Clue: Hurried to compose a sad theme with variations (4,5)

### Answer: MADE HASTE ### Explanation: Definition: Hurried **Anagram of**(compose,with variations) A SAD THEME. Two anagrinds?

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### Clue: Young people have pole placed in river (5)

### Answer: TEENS ### Explanation: Definition: Young people N(north pole) **contained in**(placed in) TEES(river in northern England, rising in the Pennines and flowing into the North Sea Defn: Short form for "teenagers", young people from thirteen to nineteen years of age

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### Clue: Be unable to decide if foolish woman's slurred (6-6)

### Answer: SHILLY-SHALLY ### Explanation: Definition: Be unable to decide SILLY SALLY(foolish woman) pronounced in a slurred manner, where the esshesh are not shibilant, eg. after a few. Defn: To dilly-dally, and perhaps be wishy-washy too

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### Clue: Enriched sand processed to make porcelain (7,5)

### Answer: DRESDEN CHINA ### Explanation: Definition: porcelain **Anagram of**(processed to make) ENRICHED SAND Defn: Also called Meissen porcelain made in the city of the same name, near Dresden, Germany. Nice surface as porcelain is made from clay, which shares the same silicate compounds, as sand.

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### Clue: Yorkshire city comes first, by the sound of it (5)

### Answer: LEEDS ### Explanation: Definition: Yorkshire city **Homophone of**(by the sound of it) leads,comes first

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### Clue: Source of fruit possibly making Eve loiter (5,4)

### Answer: OLIVE TREE ### Explanation: Definition: Source of fruit **Anagram of**(possibly making) EVE LOITER