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You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: 16th-century music distracted capital over half a century (8) | ### Answer: MADRIGAL
### Explanation: Definition: 16th-century music
MAD (distracted) + RIGA (capital of Latvia) + L (50, half of 100) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Article penned by second-century bishop, one undermining union (4) | ### Answer: SCAB
### Explanation: Definition: one undermining union
A in S + C + B. A scab is a strike-breaker |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Military exercises that started to link two countries in 1988 (8) | ### Answer: DRILLING
### Explanation: Definition: Military exercises
Double definition: construction of the Channel Tunnel began in 1988 |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Parts of every year produce confusion, so to speak (4) | ### Answer: DAYS
### Explanation: Definition: Parts of every year
Homophone of "daze" |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Since 1882, it marks success in tests for trees (5) | ### Answer: ASHES
### Explanation: Definition: Since 1882, it marks success in tests
Double definition: reference to The Ashes |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Properties split among people in 1117 (10) | ### Answer: TIMESHARES
### Explanation: Definition: Properties split among people
A cheeky of charade of two other answers from the puzzle: TIMES (11) + HARES (17) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Takes off a Romantic author (1795-1821) (5) | ### Answer: KEATS
### Explanation: Definition: a Romantic author (1795-1821)
TAKES* – this would be a perfectly acceptable clue without the dates, but they fit nicely with the theme |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Like some numbers, within moderation always (8) | ### Answer: RATIONAL
### Explanation: Definition: Like some numbers
Hidden in modeRATION ALways. Rational numbers are those that can be expressed as the ratio of two integers |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Male, having no heart about middle of 60s, was intimidating (8) | ### Answer: HECTORED
### Explanation: Definition: was intimidating
HE (male) + middle letter of sixTies in CORED ("having no heart") |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Like hundreds of dates accepted by male singer, American tough guy (6) | ### Answer: BADASS
### Explanation: Definition: American tough guy
A.D. (as hundreds, indeed thousands, of dates) in BASS |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Preserve commercial area in country since 1867 (6) | ### Answer: CANADA
### Explanation: Definition: country since 1867
CAN (to preserve) + AD + A. Canada was created as a federal dominion in 1867: I was surprised to find this was so recent |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Hint, having book set in 1728, say (4) | ### Answer: CUBE
### Explanation: Definition: 1728, say
B in CUE. 1728 is the cube of 12 |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Small rescue vessel, in 1945, liberated part of the British Isles (4) | ### Answer: SARK
### Explanation: Definition: in 1945, liberated part of the British Isles
S + ARK. Sark is one of the Channel Islands, liberated from Nazi occupation in 1945. (Geographically speaking the Channel Islands are not strictly part of the British Isles) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: By the sound of it, a Channel Island providing oversea refuge in 1746 (4) | ### Answer: SKYE
### Explanation: Definition: Island providing oversea refuge in 1746
Homophone of SKY (TV channel), and a reference to Bonnie Prince Charlie going "over the sea to Skye" |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Typecast in play, initially hope for change (5,4) | ### Answer: PETTY CASH
### Explanation: Definition: change
TYPECAST* + H[ope] |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Away from the borders, raid a hostile state (5) | ### Answer: IDAHO
### Explanation: Definition: state
Hidden in raID A HOstile |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Chair here (own Scots pine, for example) (7) | ### Answer: AINTREE
### Explanation: Definition: Chair here
AIN (Scots "own", as in "my ain folk") + TREE (e.g. a pine). The Chair is a famous fence at Aintree racecourse, jumped in the Grand National for example |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Oversexed pair flopping with film (7) | ### Answer: PRIAPIC
### Explanation: Definition: Oversexed
PAIR* + PIC |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Poet in old film (4) | ### Answer: OVID
### Explanation: Definition: Poet
O + VID[eo] |
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 could get fleeced here in court — lawyers principally stick together (4,6) | ### Answer: WOOL-STAPLE
### Explanation: Definition: One could get fleeced here
WOO (to court) + L[awyers] + STAPLE (to stick together) – it's "a market where wool is sold" (given as two words in Chambers); "staple" here is related to "stable", meaning it was a fixed market |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Careful of the short gap at end of runway (7) | ### Answer: THRIFTY
### Explanation: Definition: Careful
TH[e] + RIFT (gap) + [runwa]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: Understand about opening heart in solemn procession (7) | ### Answer: CORTEGE
### Explanation: Definition: solemn procession
GET (to understand) reversed (about) in CORE (heart) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Team given extra exam (6-4) | ### Answer: ELEVEN-PLUS
### Explanation: Definition: exam
ELEVEN (team, e.g. in football) + PLUS (extra) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Greta's short dress (4) | ### Answer: GARB
### Explanation: Definition: dress
GARB[o] |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: This thus inhibiting business graduate? (7) | ### Answer: EMBARGO
### Explanation: Definition: This thus inhibiting business graduate
MBA in ERGO (thus), with an &littish 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: Fish dish, head removed, filled with new parsley, perhaps (7) | ### Answer: GARNISH
### Explanation: Definition: parsley, perhaps
N in GAR (fish) + [d]ISH |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Turned over papers by the light (5) | ### Answer: IDLED
### Explanation: Definition: Turned over
ID (papers) + LED (light) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Around time of arrival of train, leap out (9) | ### Answer: PERINATAL
### Explanation: Definition: Around time of arrival
(TRAIN LEAP) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Festive polka he'd danced, an unexpected turn-up (5,2,3,5) | ### Answer: SPEAK OF THE DEVIL
### Explanation: Definition: an unexpected turn-up
(FESTIVE POLKA HE'D) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Entering police speed trap, one gets nearer (8) | ### Answer: STINGIER
### Explanation: Definition: nearer
I in STINGER (device used to puncture the tyres of a car being pursued by the police) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Dreadful-sounding colourist (4) | ### Answer: DYER
### Explanation: Definition: colourist
Homophone of "dire" |
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 of sporting grey coat (8) | ### Answer: CATEGORY
### Explanation: Definition: Type
(GREY COAT) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Red line covers a page in centre of worship (6) | ### Answer: CHAPEL
### Explanation: Definition: centre of worship
A P[age] in CHE (Che Guevara, a "red") + L[ine] |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Diplomat's car back shortly (8) | ### Answer: MINISTER
### Explanation: Definition: Diplomat
MINI (car) + STER[n] – I wasn't sure minister could mean a diplomat, but Chambers gives "A diplomatic representative of a government in a foreign state, esp one ranking below an ambassador" |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Male creature and baby get much more intense (4,2) | ### Answer: RAMP UP
### Explanation: Definition: get much more intense
RAM + PUP |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Arrogant, having an IQ of 150? (3,6,2,4) | ### Answer: TOO CLEVER BY HALF
### Explanation: Definition: Arrogant
Double/cryptic definition – the "average" IQ is 100, and 150 is half as much again |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Non-contributory benefit for railway staff? (4,4) | ### Answer: FREE RIDE
### Explanation: Definition: Non-contributory benefit for railway staff
Extended definition – railway staff are usually able to travel free on trains. Not a particularly great clue if you ask me |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Insistent solicitors are cold with people displaying emotion (8) | ### Answer: CHUGGERS
### Explanation: Definition: Insistent solicitors
C[old] + HUGGERS – chuggers is a portmanteau of "charity muggers", people who approach you in the street to encourage you (sometimes very persistently) to sign up for regular donations to a charity |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Waste energy on coat I took in (8) | ### Answer: EMACIATE
### Explanation: Definition: Waste
E[nergy] + MAC (mackintosh, coat) + I + ATE (took in) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Blame for spilling marmalade, just having opened preserve (6) | ### Answer: EMBALM
### Explanation: Definition: preserve
M[armalade] in BLAME |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Speed effortlessly through part, not needing this? (6) | ### Answer: PROMPT
### Explanation: Definition: this
ROMP (speed effortlessly) in PT, and another &littish one: the "part" being a role in a play |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Speaking plainly, not top level (4) | ### Answer: RANK
### Explanation: Definition: level
[F]RANK |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Popularly priced and in vogue — load up (4,5) | ### Answer: GOOD VALUE
### Explanation: Definition: Popularly priced
(VOGUE LOAD) |
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 closes loop — how synergy begins, where people take the plunge (5) | ### Answer: LIDOS
### Explanation: Definition: where people take the plunge
LID (one that closes) + O (loop) + S[ynergy] |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Arms for long distance backed by nonsense talk (9) | ### Answer: FORELIMBS
### Explanation: Definition: Arms
FOR + reverse of MILE + BS (bullshit, nonsense) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Push the envelope of danger: Boatman's following (5) | ### Answer: DRIVE
### Explanation: Definition: Push
The "envelope" or outside letters of D[ange]R + I'VE (Boatman'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: Witness reported beggar, uncovered disposing of a spiky urchin (3,3) | ### Answer: SEA EGG
### Explanation: Definition: spiky urchin
SEA (homophone of "see", witness) + bEGGar less the outer letters and then the 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: Out of repair, rig a technical means to supply water (8) | ### Answer: IRRIGATE
### Explanation: Definition: to supply water
Hidden in repaIR RIG A TEchnical |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Paradigm shift in poem: it has terminal consonance (7) | ### Answer: EPITOME
### Explanation: Definition: Paradigm
(POEM IT) + [consonanc]E |
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 (rudely snub) Harlem Shuffle (7) | ### Answer: SHAMBLE
### Explanation: Definition: Shuffle
Anagram of SNUB HARLEM less RUN |
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 gets beneath the surface of cannabis, uncovering disease (8) | ### Answer: POTHOLER
### Explanation: Definition: One gets beneath the surface
POT (cannabis) + [c]HOLER[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: Following scrap, you say your leader is fit for heavy lifting? (6) | ### Answer: MIGHTY
### Explanation: Definition: fit for heavy lifting
MIGHT (homophone of "mite", a scrap) + "leader" of Your |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Buzzword for one thing that bosses and workers all are (5) | ### Answer: HUMAN
### Explanation: Definition: thing that bosses and workers all are
I think this is HUM ("buzz") + AN (word for one) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Added volume in disrupted arterial transport mode (3,6) | ### Answer: AIR TRAVEL
### Explanation: Definition: transport mode
V in ARTERIAL |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Cut hard at the end of the day (5) | ### Answer: HEWED
### Explanation: Definition: Cut
H[ard] + end of [th]E + WED[nesday] |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Check places for funds again (9) | ### Answer: REINVESTS
### Explanation: Definition: funds again
REIN (check) + VESTS (places, as in "vests authority in..") |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Pet with clothing, belly out, is comical (6) | ### Answer: JOCOSE
### Explanation: Definition: comical
JO (a beloved one, pet) + COSTUME (clothing) less TUM (belly) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: DA then re-engineered fan (8) | ### Answer: ADHERENT
### Explanation: Definition: fan
(DA THEN RE) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Boatman's upper crust, bleeding edge, going forward (6) | ### Answer: RATING
### Explanation: Definition: Boatman
Apart from the definition I can't see how this works. |
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 your mouth, it's tender fruitless sweet spot (7) | ### Answer: GUMBOIL
### Explanation: Definition: In your mouth, it's tender
GUM (fruitless sweet, I suppose) + BOIL (spot, though this just repeats an element of the answer) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Perhaps Betty Moon? Heads up for plant needed to get well (3,3) | ### Answer: OIL RIG
### Explanation: Definition: plant needed to get well
Reverse of GIRL (e.g. Betty) + IO (moon of Jupiter). Betty Moon is a singer-songwriter, but only relevant to the surface reading |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Dead unimportant (3,5) | ### Answer: NOT VITAL
### Explanation: Definition: Dead
Double definition – a rather strange grid entry |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Sly to reach out pointlessly (4) | ### Answer: ARCH
### Explanation: Definition: Sly
REACH* less E (compass point) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Not a ham, as ham might be supplied for immoral acts (8) | ### Answer: PROCURED
### Explanation: Definition: supplied for immoral acts
PRO (not a ham or amateur) + CURED (as ham might be0 |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: My agile, lean thoughtful leadership could be moonshine (4) | ### Answer: MALT
### Explanation: Definition: could be moonshine
First letters of My Agile Lean Thoughtful |
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 big business leaders, change management's losing men (8) | ### Answer: MAGNATES
### Explanation: Definition: big business leaders
MANAGEMENTS* less MEN |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Terrain reimagined for coach (7) | ### Answer: TRAINER
### Explanation: Definition: coach
TERRAIN |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Core competency raised — leader embraces it, excited (6) | ### Answer: HEATED
### Explanation: Definition: excited
The "core" of [comp]ET[ency], reversed, in HEAD |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Insubordination in Spain's greatly outside the box (6) | ### Answer: MUTINY
### Explanation: Definition: Insubordination
TIN (box) in MUY (Spanish "very", "greatly") |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Compact lunch, say, consumed by judge (6) | ### Answer: TREATY
### Explanation: Definition: Compact
EAT (e.g. to lunch) in TRY |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Shallow watercourse, very warm in continent's extremes (5) | ### Answer: CHOTT
### Explanation: Definition: Shallow watercourse
HOT in C[ontinen]T |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Lives with little to go round, requiring support (5) | ### Answer: JOIST
### Explanation: Definition: support
IS in JOT |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Reptilian creature offering extra drinks after moderation (10) | ### Answer: HOMORELAPS
### Explanation: Definition: Reptilian creature
HO (cessation or moderation) + MORE LAPS |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Beer mixed with rum in part of old helmet (7) | ### Answer: UMBRERE
### Explanation: Definition: part of old helmet
(BEER RUM) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Swellings, start of plague? What often precedes the word going round (5) | ### Answer: MUMPS
### Explanation: Definition: Swellings
P[lague] in MUM'S (as in "mum's the word") |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: River that is containing strong current (4) | ### Answer: RIFE
### Explanation: Definition: current
F (forte, strong) in R I.E. |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Midriff showing loss but no sign of age (4) | ### Answer: WAST
### Explanation: Definition: Midriff
WAST[AGE] – an old variant of "waist" |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Direct fan for repair – it's broken (9) | ### Answer: INFRACTED
### Explanation: Definition: broken
(DIRECT FAN) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Ill-natured female retaining right to desire (8) | ### Answer: SHREWISH
### Explanation: Definition: Ill-natured
R in SHE (female) + WISH |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Like richly decorated chairs? I left pair in keep of one much admired (8) | ### Answer: GILTWOOD
### Explanation: Definition: Like richly decorated chairs
I L TWO in GOD |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Hurricanes? Real pains when flying about (9) | ### Answer: AIRPLANES
### Explanation: Definition: Hurricanes?
(REAL PAINS)*, with the definition referring to the WW2 fighter aircraft – perhaps there should have been some indication that "airplane" is mainly a US term |
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 of binding always backing pages (4) | ### Answer: YAPP
### Explanation: Definition: Type of binding
Reverse of AY (always) + P P |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: What Troon gatecrashers do, showing contempt when shunned by clubs (4) | ### Answer: SORN
### Explanation: Definition: What Troon gatecrashers do
SCORN less C |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Trendy gym accepting one that's unfit (5) | ### Answer: INAPT
### Explanation: Definition: unfit
A in IN PT |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Liquidised? Such dry fruit did when pounded (7) | ### Answer: SILIQUE
### Explanation: Definition: dry fruit
LIQUIDISED is an anagram of SILIQUE + DID |
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 silence, brook head causing the opposite thereof? (10) | ### Answer: SHRILLNESS
### Explanation: Definition: the opposite thereof
SH ("silence!") + RILL (brook) + NESS (geographical head) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Turner cut short yard of wood strip (5) | ### Answer: LATHY
### Explanation: Definition: of wood strip
LATH[E]+ Y[ard] (This was wrongly listed as a duplicate 33 in the version I used) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Combines one agreement incorporating another (5) | ### Answer: YOKES
### Explanation: Definition: Combines
OK in YES |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Sacred charm crafted from a rich nugget, half lost (8) | ### Answer: CHURINGA
### Explanation: Definition: Sacred charm
Anagram of A RICH NUG[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: Maize porridge, plain, for consuming at home (6) | ### Answer: HOMINY
### Explanation: Definition: Maize porridge
IN (at home) in HOMY (plain) – I knew this from the longer "hominy grits": a particularly unappetising name, I always thnk |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Content of storeroom for performer in ring (6) | ### Answer: TORERO
### Explanation: Definition: performer in ring
Hidden in sTOREROom |
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 in a college (Oxford) coming up? Not on (5) | ### Answer: TREMA
### Explanation: Definition: Opening
Reverse of A MERTON less ON – the "trem-" element is seen in the animal group Monotremes |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Essential part of Trinity, one routine seen amid shimmering spires (12) | ### Answer: PERICHORESIS
### Explanation: Definition: Essential part of Trinity
I CHORE in SPIRES* – in spectacularly unhelpful fashion, Chambers defines this with the one word "cirumincession"; in turn is defined as "the reciprocity of existence in one another of the three persons of the Trinity", which still leaves me very little the wiser. I dare say people were burned at the stake for believing or not believing in 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: I've affinity for negative charges and rile the police awfully? Not I (12) | ### Answer: ELECTROPHILE
### Explanation: Definition: I've affinity for negative charges
(RILE THE POLICE)* less one 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: Cane yielding alternative to honey and source thereof (6) | ### Answer: JAMBEE
### Explanation: Definition: Cane
JAM (alternative to honey) + BEE |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Given to faddish theory, I mostly relish accepting upsurge of it (7) | ### Answer: ISMATIC
### Explanation: Definition: Given to faddish theory
I + reverse of IT in SMAC[K] (relish) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Rotting snake found on island (6) | ### Answer: SEPSIS
### Explanation: Definition: Rotting
SEPS ("a very venomous snake mentioned by classical writers") + IS (island) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Two pairs from Towcester's line-up rarely thrown (4) | ### Answer: TOST
### Explanation: Definition: rarely thrown
Two separate pairs of letters from TOwceSTer |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Being so gauche shuns set (8) | ### Answer: THUSNESS
### Explanation: Definition: Being so
(SHUNS SET) |
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation. | ### Clue: Plays subtly dividing feet – near-miss space-wise? (7) | ### Answer: FLYPAST
### Explanation: Definition: near-miss space-wise
PLAYS* in FT. I thought this might be an exception to the "no hyphens" feature, but Chambers only gives it as a single word |
Subsets and Splits