0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Need religious correspondent to remove line on possible cathedral location (7)	PAUCITY	Definition: Need "Paul"(religious correspondent/writer of the Epistles/Letters of Paul, some of the books in the New Testament of the Bible) minus(to remove) "l"(abbrev. for "line") plus(on) CITY(a town created a city by charter, and usually containing a cathedral/a possible cathedral location). Defn: …/a lack of.
Family man failing to finish off poisoner is set free (7)	UNCLASP	Definition: set free "uncle"(a family man/a blood relation) minus its last letter(failing to finish off) + ASP(a poisoner/a poisonous creature, specifically, this variety of snake).
Novice losing footing in alpine region (4)	TYRO	Definition: Novice "Tyrol"(an alpine region, specifically, in West Austria and North Italy) minus its last letter (losing footing …, in a down clue).
Mirror supplies base to support Independent publication (5)	IMAGE	Definition: Mirror E(in maths, an abstract number that is the base for natural logarithms) placed below(to support, in a down clue) [ I(abbrev. for "Independent", a non-member of any political party) + MAG(short for "magazine", a periodical publication) ]. Defn: …/a thing regarded as an accurate representation of something else, as in "the eyes are the mirror of the soul".
Dependants damn individual short of capital (7-2)	HANGERS-ON	Definition: Dependants HANG!(like "damn!", an expression of anger or frustration at someone or something) + "person"(an individual/someone) minus its 1st letter(short of capital).
Artfully rig agendas to create unjustly favourable impression (10)	AGGRANDISE	Definition: to create unjustly favourable impression Anagram of(Artfully) RIG AGENDAS.
Following a particular plan could become mechanistic without sources of novel ideas (9)	SCHEMATIC	Definition: Following a particular plan Anagram of(could become) [ "mechanistic" minus 1st letters, respectively, of(without sources of) "novel ideas" ].
Undertake surprise audit to identify arrangement of men on board (4-5)	SPOT-CHECK	Definition: Undertake surprise audit SPOT(to identify/to recognise) CHECK(an arrangement of pieces/men on a chessboard where a player has placed his/her opponent's king under direct attack). Or does "check" refer to the black and white squares on which the pieces are placed?
Prison implicated in a peculiar secret (7)	ARCANUM	Definition: secret CAN(slang for "prison") contained in(implicated in) [A + RUM(peculiar/odd) ].
Unions associated with Attlee and Freud (not the Liberal)? (7)	CEMENTS	Definition: Unions "Clements"(plural of "Clement", the first names of Attlee, former British PM, and Freud, British Liberal MP and broadcaster) minus(not the) "L"(abbrev. for "Liberal", a member of the Liberal Party). Defn: I'm not sure about this. "cement" and "union" as nouns are not synonymous – the former achieves the latter; and unlike "cement", "union" cannot be a verb.
Old Norse character finds god at bottom of mountain (5)	THORN	Definition: Old Norse character THOR(the hammer-wielding god in Scandinavian mythology) plus(at) last letter of(bottom of, in a down clue) "mountain". Defn: …/letter in the Old Norse alphabet.
Money expressed in pounds sterling more often than not (5)	LOLLY	Definition: Money Cryptic defn: L(or £/symbol for pounds sterling/English money unit) appears in the solution more often than the other letters (3 out of 5). Defn: Slang for …
Elevated element of Scandinavian idolatry (4)	ODIN	Definition: Elevated element of Scandinavian idolatry Hidden in(element of) reversal of(Elevated …) "Scandinavian idolatry". Defn: A widely revered god/elevated element in Scandinavian idolatry/mythology.
Register egg being eaten by tragic figure, along with large bap (9,4)	ELECTORAL ROLL	Definition: Register O(a circle, a rounded object resembling an egg) contained in(being eaten by) ELECTRA(the mythological main character in Greek tragedies by Sophocles, Euripides and others) plus(along with) L(abbrev. for "large") + ROLL(bap/a large round flattish bread roll). Defn: … of eligible voters in a district or constituency.
Obstacle to getting off home? One moans terribly (8)	INSOMNIA	Definition: Obstacle to getting off IN(home/not out of the house, as in "I'm home") + anagram of(… terribly) [ I(Roman numeral for "one" + MOANS]. Defn: …/falling asleep.
Memorable words of Tramp and Anto to put out (6)	SLOGAN	Definition: Memorable words SLOG(to tramp/to walk with difficulty or effort) plus(and) "Anto" minus(… put out) "to".
Obtain energy, conserving energy (6)	DERIVE	Definition: Obtain DRIVE(energy/determination to achieve) containing(conserving) E(symbol for "energy" in physics).
Visibly, it's where drinkers are left in charge (2,6)	IN PUBLIC	Definition: Visibly [IN PUB](in a place where you will find drinkers) + L(abbrev. for "left") + IC(abbrev. for "in charge").
Intended name removed from fund … (6)	FIANCE	Definition: Intended "n"(abbrev. for "name") deleted from(removed from) "finance"(to fund/to provide with money for a purpose). Defn: The …/the someone, in this case, a male, to whom one is engaged to be married.
denied profits and funding (8)	GAINSAID	Definition: denied GAINS(profits/amount earned over and above amount spent) plus(and) AID(support of a practical nature, including funding). Defn: …/contradicted.
Capers in mains, oddly, yours truly fed to cook (8)	MISCHIEF	Definition: Capers 1st, 3rd and 5th letters of(…, oddly) "mains" + [ I(yours truly, the setter using the self-referential pronoun) contained in(fed to) CHEF(a professional cook) ].
Setter about to eat £25 Caesar salad, perhaps (6)	EPONYM	Definition: Caesar salad, perhaps Reversal of(… about) ME(the setter, using the self-referential pronoun) containing(to eat) PONY(slang for the sum of £25). Defn: A thing named after someone, an example being/perhaps "Caesar salad".
Picturegoer gutted about some current spoiler? (8)	PAMPERER	Definition: spoiler "Picturegoer" minus all its innder letters(gutted) containing(about) AMPERE(a unit of/some electrical current). Defn: …/one who spoils/indulges somebody.
Nuanced translation of dialogue ignores it (6)	SUBTLE	Definition: Nuanced "subtitle"(captions displayed on a cinema or TV screen that translate the on-going dialogue) minus(ignores) "it".
Order rubbish with a little butter to get sent back (6)	DIKTAT	Definition: Order Reversal of(… to get sent back) [ TAT(rubbish/shoddy items clothes, say) plus(with a) KID(a young goat/a little butter/thing that butts) ].
Mingle in club owned by Jagger, we hear (8)	INTERMIX	Definition: Mingle INTER(short for Inter Milan, professional football team in the Italian league) + homophone of(…, we hear) "Mick's"(owned by/belonging to Mick, in this case Jagger of the Rolling Stones).
Dance with great skill where oil's found (9,4)	DISCOVERY WELL	Definition: where oil's found DISCO(dance to disco music) [VERY WELL](with great skill/expertise). Defn: …, specifically the first well to produce in a new oilfield.
Wise bird swallows start to irritate (5)	ERNIE	Definition: Wise ERNE(bird, in this case the sea eagle) containing(swallows) 1st letter of(start to) "irritate". Defn: First name of half of the comedic duo Morecambe and Wise.
Love trendy coats Oscar's wearing (7)	EROSION	Definition: wearing EROS(sexual love/desire, originating from the Greek god of love) + IN(trendy/in fashion) containing(coats) O(letter represented by "Oscar" in the phonetic alphabet). Defn: …/the process of being worn by friction.
What may be perfect figure with statue's outline (5)	TENSE	Definition: What may be perfect TEN(the figure 10) plus(with) 1st and last letters of(…'s outline) "statue". Defn: …, in grammar.
Row in boxing arena because of matches where severe blow is likely (7,7)	ROARING FORTIES	Definition: where severe blow is likely OAR(to row with, well, oars) contained in(in) RING(boxing arena – a square ring) + FOR(because of, as in "he failed for lack of experience") + TIES(sporting matches between two sides). Defn: The ocean tracts between latitudes 40 and 50 degrees south which experience very severe winds/blows.
What you must pay great pianist heard on piano with lyricist (4,5)	LIST PRICE	Definition: What you must pay Homophone of(… heard) "Liszt"(Franz, great Hungarian pianist) placed above(on, in a down clue) P(abbrev. for "piano", musical direction to play softly) plus(with) RICE(Tim, English lyricist, best known for collaborating with Andrew Lloyd Webber). Defn: … to purchase a product (except when the seller gives a discount off it).
Diamond edging for rich decoration on vehicle (7)	RHOMBUS	Definition: Diamond 1st and last letters of(edging for) "rich" + OM(abbrev. for the Order of Merit, an honour/decoration given by the monarch of the Commonwealth) + BUS(a large vehicle for people transport). … a pattern made up of rhombi.
Pounds given to one with potential for debt (9)	LIABILITY	Definition: debt L(or £, symbol for the British monetary unit, the pound sterling) plus(given to) I(Roman numeral for "one") + ABILITY(potential/skill that you possess to be able to do something).
Echoing musical with two notes raised (9)	IMITATIVE	Definition: Echoing Reversal of(… raised, in a down clue) [ EVITA(musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice) plus(with) MI,TI(or "me" and "te", respectively, 2 notes in the sol-fa music scale) ].
Entering eg Qatar, granddaughter went abroad (9)	EMIGRATED	Definition: went abroad [ EMIRATE(a nation reigned by an emir, an example of which/eg. is Qatar) containing(Entering …) G(abbrev. for "grand"/£1000) ] + D(abbrev. for "daughter").
Better country with 20% less stock (7)	CAPITAL	Definition: stock CAP(to better/to surpass) + "Italy"(European country) minus the last out of 5 letters(with 20% less). Defn: Money raised by a company through the issue and subscription of shares.
English playmaker Jack heading for nightclub in drag (7)	OSBORNE	Definition: English playmaker OS(abbrev. for "ordinary seaman", a sailor/Jack) + [ 1st letter of(heading for) "nightclub" contained in(in) BORE(a drag/a tiresome situation or activity) ]. Answer: …, John, English playwright/playmaker, if you like, best known for his play "Look Back In Anger".
Scrap the second group picked up (3-2)	SET-TO	Definition: Scrap Homophone of(group picked up) "set two"(the second/number 2 set/group). Defn: …/a fight.
New Labourite losing head, with yen to be flashy (5)	LAIRY	Definition: flashy "Blair"(Tony, British Labour Party leader who was a key figure in the New Labour, the brand used to signify a newly reformed party) minus its 1st letter(losing head) + Y(abbrev. for "yen", the Japanese currency unit). Defn: …/ostentatious.
Place for a constitutional Liberal and a sleep? (9)	ESPLANADE	Definition: Place for a constitutional Anagram of(Liberal) AND A SLEEP. Defn: …, a walk by the sea for good health.
Temperance society conceals unopened wine vessel (5)	AORTA	Definition: vessel AA(abbrev. for "Alcoholics Anonymous", a mutual aid society helping members recover from alcoholism by practising temperance/abstinence from alcohol) containing(conceals) "port"(a fortified wine) minus its 1st letter(unopened …). Defn: A blood … in your body.
Couples found in bed, most regularly after sex (5)	ITEMS	Definition: Couples 2nd, 4th and 6th letters of(… regularly) "bed, most" placed after(after) IT(slang for "sex"). Defn: … involved in a romantic or sexual relationship. Therefore the whole clue could be the definition.
Wants the grass conditioned and nothing planted (9)	SHORTAGES	Definition: Wants Anagram of(… conditioned) THE GRASS containing(and … planted) O(letter representing 0/nothing).
Gets criminal stashing smuggled rum (7)	STRANGE	Definition: rum Anagram of(… criminal) GETS containing(stashing) RAN(smuggled/brought goods illegally and secretly into a country). Defn: …/odd.
A list published in Whitehall startles (3-4)	ALL-STAR	Definition: A list Hidden in(published in) "Whitehall startles". Defn: …, specifically, of A-list/outstanding performers, as in "the film features an A-list cast". Or it could be a missing hyphen in the clue.
Suffer ruin, recklessly taking cocaine (5)	INCUR	Definition: Suffer Anagram of(…, recklessly) RUIN containing(taking) C(abbrev. for "cocaine"). Defn: As in "to … losses".
Buttonhole flower people leaving taxi? (3)	CAR	Definition: taxi? "carnation"(a flower that you wear in the buttonhole or pinned to the lapel of your coat or dress) minus(… leaving) "nation"(a large body of people inhabiting a particular country or territory). Defn: That which could be/? used as a taxi.
Religious rule could anger non-believers over Nature's origins (5)	CANON	Definition: Religious rule 1st letters, respectively, of(…'s origins) "could anger non-believers over Nature".
Appeal to rent cycles before lunch? (7)	ENTREAT	Definition: Appeal "RENT" *with its 1st letter moved to the end(cycles) plus*(before) EAT(to lunch).
A prospective partner lands government contract (7)	ABRIDGE	Definition: contract A + BRIDE(a prospective partner/a wife-to-be) containing(lands) G(abbrev. for "government"). Defn: …/to condense.
Sorry husband entertained by jolly people carrier (9)	TROOPSHIP	Definition: people carrier [ OOPS!("sorry!"/an expression acknowledging an error) + H(abbrev. for "husband") ] contained in(entertained by) TRIP(a jolly/a trip made for pleasure by public official/s at public expense). Defn: …, specifically people in the armed forces.
Old lady hosting company event is hot stuff (5)	MAGMA	Definition: hot stuff MA(informal term for one's mother, one's old lady) containing(hosting) AGM(abbrev. for "annual general meeting" of the shareholders of a company). Defn: … below or within the earth's crust.
Rule breaking, i.e. rebelliously holds back (5)	REIGN	Definition: Rule Hidden in(… holds) reversal of(… back) "breaking, i.e. rebelliously".
Stacks fruit vehicles (9)	RICKSHAWS	Definition: vehicles RICKS(stacks of hay, corn, or similar material) + HAWS(the red fruit of the hawthorn tree).
Record set in Kane's first international cap (4)	KEPI	Definition: cap EP(abbrev. for "extended play"/a disc of recorded audio material) contained in(set in) [ 1st letter of(…'s first) "Kane" + I(abbrev. for "international") ]. And, in football, Harry Kane has many times been capped an England international.
Surface active bum paper (6)	APPEAR	Definition: Surface A(abbrev. for "active") + anagram of(bum) PAPER. Defn: To …, from being hidden under or behind a, well, surface.
Dorset men ploughed over a plum location (6,4)	DAMSON TREE	Definition: plum location Anagram of(… ploughed) DORSET MEN containing(over) A. Defn: On which you might find a fruit similar to the plum.
Analyse East Persian dialect (6)	PARSEE	Definition: Persian dialect PARSE(to analyse/to resolve a sentence into its component parts) + E(abbrev. for "East").
Elegant young lady making first appearance broadcasting live (8)	DEBONAIR	Definition: Elegant DEB(short for "debutante", a young lady making her first formal appearance in fashionable society) + [ON AIR](broadcasting live on the radio or TV).
Rush of air from wide behind (4)	WAFT	Definition: Rush of air W(abbrev. for "wide") + AFT(behind/at the stern).
Good French harbours appropriate for seaside resort (8)	BRIGHTON	Definition: seaside resort BON(French for "good") containing(harbours ) RIGHT(acceptable/appropriate). Defn: … on the south coast of England.
Bolts lawyers' entrance to Strangeways (4)	BARS	Definition: Bolts BAR(lawyers/barristers, collectively) + 1st letter of(entrance to) "Strangeways". And Strangeways is a prison, where lawyers might visit some of their clients. Defn: …/fastens a door or window with sliding bar that fits into a socket.
Ill-feeling shown by rejection of on-line advice? (5)	SPITE	Definition: Ill-feeling Reversal of(rejection of) [ E-(prefix denoting something available on-line/on the Internet) + TIPS(a piece of useful advice) ].
Tearing up racy Holmes novel (10)	LACHRYMOSE	Definition: Tearing up Anagram of(… novel) RACY HOLMES. Defn: …/weeping.
Classify mountains (5)	RANGE	Definition: Classify,mountains Double defn: 1st: …/to put into a specific category, as in "they ranged themselves with the far right movement"; and 2nd: … in a chain forming a single system.
Stop tailless pet's sign of affection outside comprehensive (8)	CATHOLIC	Definition: comprehensive HO(or whoa!, signalling a horse to stop) contained in(… outside) "cat lick"(a sign of affection by your pet cat) minus its last letter(tailless …). Defn: …/all-embracing.
Spooner's announcement to close Justice Centre is finished early (3,5)	CUT SHORT	Definition: finished early Spoonerism of(Spooner's announcement) [ "shut"(to close) + "court"(a Justice Centre/where justice is dispensed) ].
Face mask uncovered and kissed – I say! (6)	ASPECT	Definition: Face "mask" minus its 1st and last letters(uncovered) plus(and) homophone of(… – I say) "pecked"(kissed lightly).
Page turned down party clothes (3-3)	DOG-EAR	Definition: Page turned down DO(party/a social gathering) + GEAR(clothes/outfits). Defn: …, in a book, say.
Loud stag gathering upset the horse-racing world (4)	TURF	Definition: horse-racing world Reversal of(… upset, in a down clue) [ F(abbrev. for "forte", a musical direction to play loudly) + RUT(a stag gathering, or more precisely, the time of year when stags gather to fight each other to decide who mates with whom) ]. Defn: A general term for horse-racing and what goes with it.
Rolled up joint we're told is undersized (4)	PUNY	Definition: undersized Reversal of(Rolled) UP + homophone of(… we're told) "knee"(a joint in the leg).
Miss the start of Fall recess (4)	APSE	Definition: recess 1st letter deleted from(Miss the start of) "lapse"(a fall/a decline from previously high standards). Defn: A large … in a church.
Proceeds with instruction to enter after part exchange (6)	INCOME	Definition: Proceeds ["COME IN"](instruction to enter/come through) with the last 2 letters exchanging position with the first 4 (after part exchange).
Gather with capacity to contain returning chaos (8)	ASSEMBLE	Definition: Gather ABLE(with capacity/with the ability or power to do) containing(to contain) reversal of(returning) MESS(chaos/mayhem).
Stress from 'sexercise' (6)	STRAIN	Definition: Stress 'S + TRAIN(to exercise'/to work out).
Five he-men stripped into skimpy underwear by the roadside? (8)	PAVEMENT	Definition: roadside [ V(Roman numeral for "five") + "he-men" minus its 1st and last letters(stripped) ] contained in(into) "pants"(underwear, specifically underpants or knickers) *minus its last letter*(skimpy …). Defn: A … that has been raised and paved for pedestrians.
Changes suitable to feature in publicity (6)	ADAPTS	Definition: Changes APT(suitable/appropriate) contained in(to feature in) ADS(short for advertisements/publicity material).
Unique ruling as ordered (8)	SINGULAR	Definition: Unique Anagram of(… ordered) RULING AS.
Providing assurance on the way to protect northern tree (10)	CONFIRMING	Definition: Providing assurance COMING(on the way/approaching) containing(to protect) [ N(abbrev. for "northern") + FIR(a coniferous tree) ]. Defn: … that something is correct or true.
Letters from interesting people (10)	CHARACTERS	Definition: Letters,interesting people Double defn: 1st: Written or printed …; and 2nd: …/unusual or amusing persons.
Everything you say is never wrong (8)	UNIVERSE	Definition: Everything Homophone of(… say) "you" + anagram of(… wrong) IS NEVER.
Remember finally offer the public the lot (6)	RECALL	Definition: Remember Last letters, respectively, of(finally) "offer the public" + ALL(the lot/everything).
Most absurd to get poorly during a short nap (8)	SILLIEST	Definition: Most absurd ILL(poorly/feeling unwell) contained in(during) "siesta"(an afternoon nap) minus its last letter(short …).
Swimmer's hairstyle (6)	MULLET	Definition: Swimmer,hairstyle Double defn. 1: A food fish: ; and 2:
Height and distance from the equator after a tweak (8)	ALTITUDE	Definition: Height LATITUDE(the angular distance of a place north or south of the equator) with its 1st 2 letters exchanging positions(after a tweak). Defn: … of an object above sea or ground level.
Kind offer (6)	TENDER	Definition: Kind,offer Double defn: 1: …/soft-hearted; and 2: …/to present.
Home position, for example (8)	INSTANCE	Definition: example IN(home, as in "I'm home tonight) + STANCE(a position/a posture or viewpoint). Defn: An …/a case in point.
Window dressing all over? (8)	CURTAINS	Definition: Window dressing,all over Double defn: 2nd: Slang for "ending in death or ruin"/all over, as in "if that becomes public, it will be curtains for us".
Care for chief isn't commonly included (8)	MAINTAIN	Definition: Care for MAIN(chief/principal) containing(… included) AIN'T(a non-standard/in coarse language/a commonly used contraction of "is not"/"isn't").
Static on the radio provides material for writers (10)	STATIONERY	Definition: material for writers Homophone of(… on the radio) "stationary"(static/unmoving).
Turn green with envy in the end — that's life! (6)	ENERGY	Definition: life Anagram of(Turn) GREEN plus(with) last letter of(… in the end) "envy". Defn: …/vitality.
Volkswagen buzzer let loose (6)	BEETLE	Definition: Volkswagen BEE(a buzzer/a buzzing creature) + anagram of(… loose) LET. Defn: Nickname for the iconic … model.
Blackmail previously upset communist (6)	EXTORT	Definition: Blackmail EX-(prefix signifying "previously"/formerly) + reversal of(upset) TROT(short for "Trotskyite", a supporter of the communist politics of Leon Trotsky).
Stressed editor after cooking pies and mash (10)	EMPHASISED	Definition: Stressed ED(abbrev. for "editor") placed below(after, in a down clue) anagram of(cooking) [PIES plus(and) MASH]. Defn: …/gave special importance to something in speech or text.
Timetable for school 50% escape to head north (8)	SCHEDULE	Definition: Timetable 1st 3 letters of(…: 50%) "school" + reversal of(… to head north, in a down clue) ELUDE(to escape from or to avoid).
Elaborate hindquarters indeed (8)	DETAILED	Definition: Elaborate TAIL(hindquarters/the rear) contained in(in) DEED.
Switch to sailor mode (8)	ISOLATOR	Definition: Switch Anagram of(… mode/a way in which something is expressed or done) TO SAILOR. Defn: A type of electrical …
Aggressor starts to raid Ukraine, still stuck in action (6)	RUSSIA	Definition: Aggressor starts to raid Ukraine 1st letters, respectively, of(starts to) "raid Ukraine, still stuck in action".
Flower arranging — love it! (6)	VIOLET	Definition: Flower Anagram of(arranging) LOVE IT.

Need religious correspondent to remove line on possible cathedral location (7)

PAUCITY

Definition: Need "Paul"(religious correspondent/writer of the Epistles/Letters of Paul, some of the books in the New Testament of the Bible) **minus**(to remove) "l"(abbrev. for "line") **plus**(on) CITY(a town created a city by charter, and usually containing a cathedral/a possible cathedral location). Defn: …/a lack of.

Family man failing to finish off poisoner is set free (7)

UNCLASP

Definition: set free "uncle"(a family man/a blood relation) **minus ****its last letter**(failing to finish off) + ASP(a poisoner/a poisonous creature, specifically, this variety of snake).

Novice losing footing in alpine region (4)

TYRO

Definition: Novice "Tyrol"(an alpine region, specifically, in West Austria and North Italy) **minus ****its last letter **(losing footing …, in a down clue).

Mirror supplies base to support Independent publication (5)

IMAGE

Definition: Mirror E(in maths, an abstract number that is the base for natural logarithms) **placed below**(to support, in a down clue) [ I(abbrev. for "Independent", a non-member of any political party) + MAG(short for "magazine", a periodical publication) ]. Defn: …/a thing regarded as an accurate representation of something else, as in "the eyes are the mirror of the soul".

Dependants damn individual short of capital (7-2)

HANGERS-ON

Definition: Dependants HANG!(like "damn!", an expression of anger or frustration at someone or something) + "person"(an individual/someone) **minus ****its 1st letter**(short of capital).

Artfully rig agendas to create unjustly favourable impression (10)

AGGRANDISE

Definition: to create unjustly favourable impression **Anagram of**(Artfully) RIG AGENDAS.

Following a particular plan could become mechanistic without sources of novel ideas (9)

SCHEMATIC

Definition: Following a particular plan **Anagram of**(could become) [ "mechanistic" **minus ****1st letters, respectively, of**(without sources of) "novel ideas" ].

Undertake surprise audit to identify arrangement of men on board (4-5)

SPOT-CHECK

Definition: Undertake surprise audit SPOT(to identify/to recognise) CHECK(an arrangement of pieces/men on a chessboard where a player has placed his/her opponent's king under direct attack). Or does "check" refer to the black and white squares on which the pieces are placed?

Prison implicated in a peculiar secret (7)

ARCANUM

Definition: secret CAN(slang for "prison") **contained in**(implicated in) [A + RUM(peculiar/odd) ].

Unions associated with Attlee and Freud (not the Liberal)? (7)

CEMENTS

Definition: Unions "Clements"(plural of "Clement", the first names of Attlee, former British PM, and Freud, British Liberal MP and broadcaster) **minus**(not the) "L"(abbrev. for "Liberal", a member of the Liberal Party). Defn: I'm not sure about this. "cement" and "union" as nouns are not synonymous – the former achieves the latter; and unlike "cement", "union" cannot be a verb.

Old Norse character finds god at bottom of mountain (5)

THORN

Definition: Old Norse character THOR(the hammer-wielding god in Scandinavian mythology) **plus**(at) **last letter of**(bottom of, in a down clue) "mountain". Defn: …/letter in the Old Norse alphabet.

Money expressed in pounds sterling more often than not (5)

LOLLY

Definition: Money Cryptic defn: L(or £/symbol for pounds sterling/English money unit) appears in the solution more often than the other letters (3 out of 5). Defn: Slang for …

Elevated element of Scandinavian idolatry (4)

ODIN

Definition: Elevated element of Scandinavian idolatry **Hidden in**(element of) **reversal of**(Elevated …) "Scandinavian idolatry". Defn: A widely revered god/elevated element in Scandinavian idolatry/mythology.

Register egg being eaten by tragic figure, along with large bap (9,4)

ELECTORAL ROLL

Definition: Register O(a circle, a rounded object resembling an egg) **contained in**(being eaten by) ELECTRA(the mythological main character in Greek tragedies by Sophocles, Euripides and others) **plus**(along with) L(abbrev. for "large") + ROLL(bap/a large round flattish bread roll). Defn: … of eligible voters in a district or constituency.

Obstacle to getting off home? One moans terribly (8)

INSOMNIA

Definition: Obstacle to getting off IN(home/not out of the house, as in "I'm home") + **anagram of**(… terribly) [ I(Roman numeral for "one" + MOANS]. Defn: …/falling asleep.

Memorable words of Tramp and Anto to put out (6)

SLOGAN

Definition: Memorable words SLOG(to tramp/to walk with difficulty or effort) **plus**(and) "Anto" **minus**(… put out) "to".

Obtain energy, conserving energy (6)

DERIVE

Definition: Obtain DRIVE(energy/determination to achieve) **containing**(conserving) E(symbol for "energy" in physics).

Visibly, it's where drinkers are left in charge (2,6)

IN PUBLIC

Definition: Visibly [IN PUB](in a place where you will find drinkers) + L(abbrev. for "left") + IC(abbrev. for "in charge").

Intended name removed from fund … (6)

FIANCE

Definition: Intended "n"(abbrev. for "name") **deleted from**(removed from) "finance"(to fund/to provide with money for a purpose). Defn: The …/the someone, in this case, a male, to whom one is engaged to be married.

denied profits and funding (8)

GAINSAID

Definition: denied GAINS(profits/amount earned over and above amount spent) **plus**(and) AID(support of a practical nature, including funding). Defn: …/contradicted.

Capers in mains, oddly, yours truly fed to cook (8)

MISCHIEF

Definition: Capers **1st, 3rd and 5th letters of**(…, oddly) "mains" + [ I(yours truly, the setter using the self-referential pronoun) **contained in**(fed to) CHEF(a professional cook) ].

Setter about to eat £25 Caesar salad, perhaps (6)

EPONYM

Definition: Caesar salad, perhaps **Reversal of**(… about) ME(the setter, using the self-referential pronoun) **containing**(to eat) PONY(slang for the sum of £25). Defn: A thing named after someone, an example being/perhaps "Caesar salad".

Picturegoer gutted about some current spoiler? (8)

PAMPERER

Definition: spoiler "Picturegoer" **minus all its innder letters**(gutted) **containing**(about) AMPERE(a unit of/some electrical current). Defn: …/one who spoils/indulges somebody.

Nuanced translation of dialogue ignores it (6)

SUBTLE

Definition: Nuanced "subtitle"(captions displayed on a cinema or TV screen that translate the on-going dialogue) **minus**(ignores) "it".

Order rubbish with a little butter to get sent back (6)

DIKTAT

Definition: Order **Reversal of**(… to get sent back) [ TAT(rubbish/shoddy items clothes, say) **plus**(with a) KID(a young goat/a little butter/thing that butts) ].

Mingle in club owned by Jagger, we hear (8)

INTERMIX

Definition: Mingle INTER(short for Inter Milan, professional football team in the Italian league) + **homophone of**(…, we hear) "Mick's"(owned by/belonging to Mick, in this case Jagger of the Rolling Stones).

Dance with great skill where oil's found (9,4)

DISCOVERY WELL

Definition: where oil's found DISCO(dance to disco music) [VERY WELL](with great skill/expertise). Defn: …, specifically the first well to produce in a new oilfield.

Wise bird swallows start to irritate (5)

ERNIE

Definition: Wise ERNE(bird, in this case the sea eagle) **containing**(swallows) **1st letter of**(start to) "irritate". Defn: First name of half of the comedic duo Morecambe and Wise.

Love trendy coats Oscar's wearing (7)

EROSION

Definition: wearing EROS(sexual love/desire, originating from the Greek god of love) + IN(trendy/in fashion) **containing**(coats) O(letter represented by "Oscar" in the phonetic alphabet). Defn: …/the process of being worn by friction.

What may be perfect figure with statue's outline (5)

TENSE

Definition: What may be perfect TEN(the figure 10) **plus**(with) **1st and last letters of**(…'s outline) "statue". Defn: …, in grammar.

Row in boxing arena because of matches where severe blow is likely (7,7)

ROARING FORTIES

Definition: where severe blow is likely OAR(to row with, well, oars) **contained in**(in) RING(boxing arena – a square ring) + FOR(because of, as in "he failed for lack of experience") + TIES(sporting matches between two sides). Defn: The ocean tracts between latitudes 40 and 50 degrees south which experience very severe winds/blows.

What you must pay great pianist heard on piano with lyricist (4,5)

LIST PRICE

Definition: What you must pay **Homophone of**(… heard) "Liszt"(Franz, great Hungarian pianist) **placed above**(on, in a down clue) P(abbrev. for "piano", musical direction to play softly) **plus**(with) RICE(Tim, English lyricist, best known for collaborating with Andrew Lloyd Webber). Defn: … to purchase a product (except when the seller gives a discount off it).

Diamond edging for rich decoration on vehicle (7)

RHOMBUS

Definition: Diamond **1st and last letters of**(edging for) "rich" + OM(abbrev. for the Order of Merit, an honour/decoration given by the monarch of the Commonwealth) + BUS(a large vehicle for people transport). … a pattern made up of rhombi.

Pounds given to one with potential for debt (9)

LIABILITY

Definition: debt L(or £, symbol for the British monetary unit, the pound sterling) **plus**(given to) I(Roman numeral for "one") + ABILITY(potential/skill that you possess to be able to do something).

Echoing musical with two notes raised (9)

IMITATIVE

Definition: Echoing **Reversal of**(… raised, in a down clue) [ EVITA(musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice) **plus**(with) MI,TI(or "me" and "te", respectively, 2 notes in the sol-fa music scale) ].

Entering eg Qatar, granddaughter went abroad (9)

EMIGRATED

Definition: went abroad [ EMIRATE(a nation reigned by an emir, an example of which/eg. is Qatar) **containing**(Entering …) G(abbrev. for "grand"/£1000) ] + D(abbrev. for "daughter").

Better country with 20% less stock (7)

CAPITAL

Definition: stock CAP(to better/to surpass) + "Italy"(European country) **minus the last out of 5 letters**(with 20% less). Defn: Money raised by a company through the issue and subscription of shares.

English playmaker Jack heading for nightclub in drag (7)

OSBORNE

Definition: English playmaker OS(abbrev. for "ordinary seaman", a sailor/Jack) + [ **1st letter of**(heading for) "nightclub" **contained in**(in) BORE(a drag/a tiresome situation or activity) ]. Answer: …, John, English playwright/playmaker, if you like, best known for his play "Look Back In Anger".

Scrap the second group picked up (3-2)

SET-TO

Definition: Scrap **Homophone of**(group picked up) "set two"(the second/number 2 set/group). Defn: …/a fight.

New Labourite losing head, with yen to be flashy (5)

LAIRY

Definition: flashy "Blair"(Tony, British Labour Party leader who was a key figure in the New Labour, the brand used to signify a newly reformed party) **minus its 1st letter**(losing head) + Y(abbrev. for "yen", the Japanese currency unit). Defn: …/ostentatious.

Place for a constitutional Liberal and a sleep? (9)

ESPLANADE

Definition: Place for a constitutional **Anagram of**(Liberal) AND A SLEEP. Defn: …, a walk by the sea for good health.

Temperance society conceals unopened wine vessel (5)

AORTA

Definition: vessel AA(abbrev. for "Alcoholics Anonymous", a mutual aid society helping members recover from alcoholism by practising temperance/abstinence from alcohol) **containing**(conceals) "port"(a fortified wine) **minus its 1st letter**(unopened …). Defn: A blood … in your body.

Couples found in bed, most regularly after sex (5)

ITEMS

Definition: Couples **2nd, 4th and 6th letters of**(… regularly) "bed, most" **placed after**(after) IT(slang for "sex"). Defn: … involved in a romantic or sexual relationship. Therefore the whole clue could be the definition.

Wants the grass conditioned and nothing planted (9)

SHORTAGES

Definition: Wants **Anagram of**(… conditioned) THE GRASS **containing**(and … planted) O(letter representing 0/nothing).

Gets criminal stashing smuggled rum (7)

STRANGE

Definition: rum **Anagram of**(… criminal) GETS **containing**(stashing) RAN(smuggled/brought goods illegally and secretly into a country). Defn: …/odd.

A list published in Whitehall startles (3-4)

ALL-STAR

Definition: A list **Hidden in**(published in) "Whitehall startles". Defn: …, specifically, of A-list/outstanding performers, as in "the film features an A-list cast". Or it could be a missing hyphen in the clue.

Suffer ruin, recklessly taking cocaine (5)

INCUR

Definition: Suffer **Anagram of**(…, recklessly) RUIN **containing**(taking) C(abbrev. for "cocaine"). Defn: As in "to … losses".

Buttonhole flower people leaving taxi? (3)

CAR

Definition: taxi? "carnation"(a flower that you wear in the buttonhole or pinned to the lapel of your coat or dress) **minus**(… leaving) "nation"(a large body of people inhabiting a particular country or territory). Defn: That which could be/? used as a taxi.

Religious rule could anger non-believers over Nature's origins (5)

CANON

Definition: Religious rule **1st letters, respectively, of**(…'s origins) "could anger non-believers over Nature".

Appeal to rent cycles before lunch? (7)

ENTREAT

Definition: Appeal "RENT" ***with its 1st letter moved to the end***(cycles) **plus**(before) EAT(to lunch).

A prospective partner lands government contract (7)

ABRIDGE

Definition: contract A + BRIDE(a prospective partner/a wife-to-be) **containing**(lands) G(abbrev. for "government"). Defn: …/to condense.

Sorry husband entertained by jolly people carrier (9)

TROOPSHIP

Definition: people carrier [ OOPS!("sorry!"/an expression acknowledging an error) + H(abbrev. for "husband") ] **contained in**(entertained by) TRIP(a jolly/a trip made for pleasure by public official/s at public expense). Defn: …, specifically people in the armed forces.

Old lady hosting company event is hot stuff (5)

MAGMA

Definition: hot stuff MA(informal term for one's mother, one's old lady) **containing**(hosting) AGM(abbrev. for "annual general meeting" of the shareholders of a company). Defn: … below or within the earth's crust.

Rule breaking, i.e. rebelliously holds back (5)

REIGN

Definition: Rule **Hidden in**(… holds) **reversal of**(… back) "breaking, i.e. rebelliously".

Stacks fruit vehicles (9)

RICKSHAWS

Definition: vehicles RICKS(stacks of hay, corn, or similar material) + HAWS(the red fruit of the hawthorn tree).

Record set in Kane's first international cap (4)

KEPI

Definition: cap EP(abbrev. for "extended play"/a disc of recorded audio material) **contained in**(set in) [ **1st letter of**(…'s first) "Kane" + I(abbrev. for "international") ]. And, in football, Harry Kane has many times been capped an England international.

Surface active bum paper (6)

APPEAR

Definition: Surface A(abbrev. for "active") + **anagram of**(bum) PAPER. Defn: To …, from being hidden under or behind a, well, surface.

Dorset men ploughed over a plum location (6,4)

DAMSON TREE

Definition: plum location **Anagram of**(… ploughed) DORSET MEN **containing**(over) A. Defn: On which you might find a fruit similar to the plum.

Analyse East Persian dialect (6)

PARSEE

Definition: Persian dialect PARSE(to analyse/to resolve a sentence into its component parts) + E(abbrev. for "East").

Elegant young lady making first appearance broadcasting live (8)

DEBONAIR

Definition: Elegant DEB(short for "debutante", a young lady making her first formal appearance in fashionable society) + [ON AIR](broadcasting live on the radio or TV).

Rush of air from wide behind (4)

WAFT

Definition: Rush of air W(abbrev. for "wide") + AFT(behind/at the stern).

Good French harbours appropriate for seaside resort (8)

BRIGHTON

Definition: seaside resort BON(French for "good") **containing**(harbours ) RIGHT(acceptable/appropriate). Defn: … on the south coast of England.

Bolts lawyers' entrance to Strangeways (4)

BARS

Definition: Bolts BAR(lawyers/barristers, collectively) + **1st letter of**(entrance to) "Strangeways". And Strangeways is a prison, where lawyers might visit some of their clients. Defn: …/fastens a door or window with sliding bar that fits into a socket.

Ill-feeling shown by rejection of on-line advice? (5)

SPITE

Definition: Ill-feeling **Reversal of**(rejection of) [ E-(prefix denoting something available on-line/on the Internet) + TIPS(a piece of useful advice) ].

Tearing up racy Holmes novel (10)

LACHRYMOSE

Definition: Tearing up **Anagram of**(… novel) RACY HOLMES. Defn: …/weeping.

Classify mountains (5)

RANGE

Definition: Classify,mountains Double defn: 1st: …/to put into a specific category, as in "they ranged themselves with the far right movement"; and 2nd: … in a chain forming a single system.

Stop tailless pet's sign of affection outside comprehensive (8)

CATHOLIC

Definition: comprehensive HO(or whoa!, signalling a horse to stop) **contained in**(… outside) "cat lick"(a sign of affection by your pet cat) **minus ****its last letter**(tailless …). Defn: …/all-embracing.

Spooner's announcement to close Justice Centre is finished early (3,5)

CUT SHORT

Definition: finished early Spoonerism of(Spooner's announcement) [ "shut"(to close) + "court"(a Justice Centre/where justice is dispensed) ].

Face mask uncovered and kissed – I say! (6)

ASPECT

Definition: Face "mask" **minus its ****1st and last letters**(uncovered) **plus**(and) **homophone of**(… – I say) "pecked"(kissed lightly).

Page turned down party clothes (3-3)

DOG-EAR

Definition: Page turned down DO(party/a social gathering) + GEAR(clothes/outfits). Defn: …, in a book, say.

Loud stag gathering upset the horse-racing world (4)

TURF

Definition: horse-racing world **Reversal of**(… upset, in a down clue) [ F(abbrev. for "forte", a musical direction to play loudly) + RUT(a stag gathering, or more precisely, the time of year when stags gather to fight each other to decide who mates with whom) ]. Defn: A general term for horse-racing and what goes with it.

Rolled up joint we're told is undersized (4)

PUNY

Definition: undersized **Reversal of**(Rolled) UP + **homophone of**(… we're told) "knee"(a joint in the leg).

Miss the start of Fall recess (4)

APSE

Definition: recess **1st letter ****deleted from**(Miss the start of) "lapse"(a fall/a decline from previously high standards). Defn: A large … in a church.

Proceeds with instruction to enter after part exchange (6)

INCOME

Definition: Proceeds ["COME IN"](instruction to enter/come through) **with the last 2 letters exchanging position with the first 4** (after part exchange).

Gather with capacity to contain returning chaos (8)

ASSEMBLE

Definition: Gather ABLE(with capacity/with the ability or power to do) **containing**(to contain) **reversal of**(returning) MESS(chaos/mayhem).

Stress from 'sexercise' (6)

STRAIN

Definition: Stress 'S + TRAIN(to exercise'/to work out).

Five he-men stripped into skimpy underwear by the roadside? (8)

PAVEMENT

Definition: roadside [ V(Roman numeral for "five") + "he-men" **minus its 1st and last letters**(stripped) ] **contained in**(into) "pants"(underwear, specifically underpants or knickers) ***minus its last letter***(skimpy …). Defn: A … that has been raised and paved for pedestrians.

Changes suitable to feature in publicity (6)

ADAPTS

Definition: Changes APT(suitable/appropriate) **contained in**(to feature in) ADS(short for advertisements/publicity material).

Unique ruling as ordered (8)

SINGULAR

Definition: Unique **Anagram of**(… ordered) RULING AS.

Providing assurance on the way to protect northern tree (10)

CONFIRMING

Definition: Providing assurance COMING(on the way/approaching) **containing**(to protect) [ N(abbrev. for "northern") + FIR(a coniferous tree) ]. Defn: … that something is correct or true.

Letters from interesting people (10)

CHARACTERS

Definition: Letters,interesting people Double defn: 1st: Written or printed …; and 2nd: …/unusual or amusing persons.

Everything you say is never wrong (8)

UNIVERSE

Definition: Everything **Homophone of**(… say) "you" + **anagram of**(… wrong) IS NEVER.

Remember finally offer the public the lot (6)

RECALL

Definition: Remember **Last letters, respectively, of**(finally) "offer the public" + ALL(the lot/everything).

Most absurd to get poorly during a short nap (8)

SILLIEST

Definition: Most absurd ILL(poorly/feeling unwell) **contained in**(during) "siesta"(an afternoon nap) **minus ****its last letter**(short …).

Swimmer's hairstyle (6)

MULLET

Definition: Swimmer,hairstyle Double defn. 1: A food fish: ; and 2:

Height and distance from the equator after a tweak (8)

ALTITUDE

Definition: Height LATITUDE(the angular distance of a place north or south of the equator) **with its 1st 2 letters exchanging positions**(after a tweak). Defn: … of an object above sea or ground level.

Kind offer (6)

TENDER

Definition: Kind,offer Double defn: 1: …/soft-hearted; and 2: …/to present.

Home position, for example (8)

INSTANCE

Definition: example IN(home, as in "I'm home tonight) + STANCE(a position/a posture or viewpoint). Defn: An …/a case in point.

Window dressing all over? (8)

CURTAINS

Definition: Window dressing,all over Double defn: 2nd: Slang for "ending in death or ruin"/all over, as in "if that becomes public, it will be curtains for us".

Care for chief isn't commonly included (8)

MAINTAIN

Definition: Care for MAIN(chief/principal) **containing**(… included) AIN'T(a non-standard/in coarse language/a commonly used contraction of "is not"/"isn't").

Static on the radio provides material for writers (10)

STATIONERY

Definition: material for writers **Homophone of**(… on the radio) "stationary"(static/unmoving).

Turn green with envy in the end — that's life! (6)

ENERGY

Definition: life **Anagram of**(Turn) GREEN **plus**(with) **last letter of**(… in the end) "envy". Defn: …/vitality.

Volkswagen buzzer let loose (6)

BEETLE

Definition: Volkswagen BEE(a buzzer/a buzzing creature) + **anagram of**(… loose) LET. Defn: Nickname for the iconic … model.

Blackmail previously upset communist (6)

EXTORT

Definition: Blackmail EX-(prefix signifying "previously"/formerly) + **reversal of**(upset) TROT(short for "Trotskyite", a supporter of the communist politics of Leon Trotsky).

Stressed editor after cooking pies and mash (10)

EMPHASISED

Definition: Stressed ED(abbrev. for "editor") **placed below**(after, in a down clue) **anagram of**(cooking) [PIES **plus**(and) MASH]. Defn: …/gave special importance to something in speech or text.

Timetable for school 50% escape to head north (8)

SCHEDULE

Definition: Timetable **1st 3 letters of**(…: 50%) "school" + **reversal of**(… to head north, in a down clue) ELUDE(to escape from or to avoid).

Elaborate hindquarters indeed (8)

DETAILED

Definition: Elaborate TAIL(hindquarters/the rear) **contained in**(in) DEED.

Switch to sailor mode (8)

ISOLATOR

Definition: Switch **Anagram of**(… mode/a way in which something is expressed or done) TO SAILOR. Defn: A type of electrical …

Aggressor starts to raid Ukraine, still stuck in action (6)

RUSSIA

Definition: Aggressor starts to raid Ukraine **1st letters, respectively, of**(starts to) "raid Ukraine, still stuck in action".

Flower arranging — love it! (6)

VIOLET

Definition: Flower **Anagram of**(arranging) LOVE IT.