0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Consumes escalope after turtle soup for starters (4)	EATS	Definition: Consumes 1st letters, respectively, of(… for starters) "escalope after turtle soup".
Let bloke from Bow attach architectural feature (10)	IMPEDIMENT	Definition: Let 'IM("him"/that bloke/man, as spoken by one from Bow in the London East End) plus(attach) PEDIMENT(an architectural feature, viz. the triangular upper part of a classical building). Defn: …/a hindrance.
Lower River Test cutting (6)	DEMOTE	Definition: Lower DEE(a river in N Wales and NW England) containing(… cutting) MOT(in the UK, an annual test for motor vehicles' roadworthiness, from the abbreviation for the Ministry of Transport).
Extends contract and steps down (7)	RESIGNS	Definition: Extends contract,steps down Double defn: 1st: Signs another contract on expiry of the previous one; and 2nd: … from a post/job position.
Friends in bars discussed people behind bars (7)	INMATES	Definition: people behind bars Homophone of(… discussed) "inn mates"(how one might describe friend/mates in various inns/bars). Defn: …, prison bars, that is.
Green bananas the beginning of your vitality (6)	ENERGY	Definition: vitality Anagram of(… bananas) GREEN + 1st letter of(the beginning of) "your".
Top wine collection mentioned in book? (4,6)	BEST SELLER	Definition: book? BEST(top/unbeaten) + homophone of(… mentioned) "cellar"(s stock/collection of wine, often to be found in a, well, cellar). Defn: Possibly/? a best-selling ….
Split taps work (4)	CHOP	Definition: Split CH(abbrev. for "cold" and "hot" respectively, as found on water taps) + OP(abbrev. for "opus", a major musical or literary work).
Joy of endless intimacy (7)	ELATION	Definition: Joy 1st and last letters deleted from(endless) "relations"(sexual or otherwise intimacy/intercourse).
Impact of Tory diplomacy (7)	CONTACT	Definition: Impact CON(abbrev. for a Conservative Party member/a Tory) + TACT(diplomacy/discreetness). Defn: …/action of coming together, forcibly)
Beach borders start of terribly unproductive land (3-5)	SET-ASIDE	Definition: unproductive land SEASIDE(the beach/coastline) containing(borders) 1st letter of(start of) "terribly". Defn: …/land that is taken out of production to reduce crop surpluses.
Schumann's opening surprisingly lofty for piano (6)	SOFTLY	Definition: piano 1st letter of(…'s opening) "Schumann" + anagram of(surprisingly) LOFTY. Defn: …, the musical direction of play softly. And, of course, Robert Schumann was a composer and pianist.
Grounds to invest in South America (8)	SUSPENDS	Definition: Grounds SPEND(to invest/to employ, say, time or effort, doing something for a cause) contained in(in) [ S(abbrev. for "south") + US(abbrev. for the United States of America) ]. Defn: Prevents an activity from happening, such as the social activities of child who is being punished.
Female replaces husband in conglomeration of merchants and artisans (9)	CRAFTSMEN	Definition: artisans F(abbrev. for "female") replacing(replaces … in) "h"(abbrev. for "husband" in) anagram of(conglomeration of) "merchants".
Fast or slow having nothing to lose (4)	LENT	Definition: Fast "lento"(musical direction to play slowly) minus(having … to lose) "o"(letter representing 0/nothing). Defn: The … undertaken by Christians in the period before Easter.
Former magazine auditor (8)	LISTENER	Definition: Former magazine,auditor Double defn: 1st: … published weekly by the BBC.
Demands trains (10)	CONDITIONS	Definition: Demands,trains Double defn: 1st: Requirements that must be met before something else can or be allowed to happen; and 2nd: To mould behaviour in a certain way, as Pavlov did with his dogs.
Suggest upgrade to rear lift (5)	RAISE	Definition: Suggest,upgrade,to rear,lift Multiple defns: 1st: …/bring ups, say, an issue for discussion; 2nd: …/to promote, say, from one class to another above; 3rd: …/to nurture babies or children to adulthood; and 4th: …/to physically or metaphorically bring from a lower to a higher position.
Reacts badly in icy run (6)	CRESTA	Definition: icy run Anagram of(… badly) REACTS. Defn: The act of travelling swiftly on a toboggan down a passage of compacted snow and ice.
It doesn't pay to upset America endlessly (5)	CRIME	Definition: It doesn't pay Anagram of(to upset) [ "America" minus its 1st and last letters(endlessly) ]. Defn: From the saying that tells you why not to commit a criminal act.
Cooks joints in vessels (10)	STEAMSHIPS	Definition: vessels STEAMS(cooks food by heating it in steam) + HIPS(joints between the torso and legs in primates or hind legs in quadrupeds).
Tricky opponents on Tyneside? (5-4)	NORTH-EAST	Definition: Tyneside NORTH,EAST(representing players in opposing 2-person teams in the card game of bridge, where tricks are won). Defn: …, located in the North East region of England.
Rested, having marked out playing field earlier (8)	RECLINED	Definition: Rested LINED(marked out with lines, obviously) placed after(… earlier) REC(informal term for a recreational ground/a playing field).
Understanding myth pays off (8)	SYMPATHY	Definition: Understanding Anagram of(… off) MYTH PAYS.
Kisses Boris bottling up torment (6)	OBSESS	Definition: torment Hidden in(… bottling) reversal of(… up, in a down clue) "Kisses Boris". Defn: To fill one's mind continually with troubling/tormenting thoughts.
Remarkably cheap fruit (5)	PEACH	Definition: fruit Anagram of(Remarkably) CHEAP.
Elegant form of transport on the rise (5)	SMART	Definition: Elegant Reversal of(… on the rise, in a down clue) TRAMS(a form of public transport, viz. vehicles powered by electricity from overhead cables and running on rails).
Cancel a French party (4)	UNDO	Definition: Cancel UN(French for "a") + DO(a party/a social function).
Journo to broadcast on cultism (9)	COLUMNIST	Definition: Journo Anagram of(to broadcast) ON CULTISM. Defn: …/journalist.
Celebrity of revolutionary traitors (4)	STAR	Definition: Celebrity Reversal of(revolutionary) RATS(traitors/betrayers).
Salvo exploded into rounded shapes (5)	OVALS	Definition: rounded shapes Anagram of(… exploded) SALVO.
Former partner pinches trains (9)	EXPRESSES	Definition: trains EX(one's former partner/ex-wife or ex-lover) + PRESSSES(pinches/puts pressure on, as in "my new shoes are pinching on my feet"). Defn: … moving at express speeds and making few intermediate stops.
Play area has smooth hollow (7)	SANDPIT	Definition: Play area SAND(to smooth with, say, sandpaper) + PIT(a hollow/a hole dug out in the ground).
Person enjoying liberty heartlessly imprisoning one who rescues cats? (7)	FIREMAN	Definition: who rescues cats? "freeman"(person enjoying liberty/one who is not a slave or in bondage) minus its middle letter(heartlessly) containing(imprisoning) I(Roman numeral for "one"). Defn: Answer to the question: "…?"
Something that produces red pickle (13)	EMBARRASSMENT	Definition: Something that produces red pickle Cryptic defn: A pickle/a difficult situation one finds oneself in, causing one's complexion to go red.
Temporary miss, perhaps (6,7)	SUPPLY TEACHER	Definition: Temporary miss, perhaps Cryptic defn: A relief/temporary teacher, whom pupils might/perhaps address as "Miss".
Old changes to organs (7)	OVARIES	Definition: organs O(abbrev. for "old") + VARIES(changes/alterations).
A god of love originally one can produce a cloud (7)	AEROSOL	Definition: one can produce a cloud A + EROS(the Greek god of love) + 1st letters, respectively, of(… originally) "of love". Defn: …/a fine spray of, say, deodorant.
Lost shirt fabricated (from which a final selection can be made) (9)	SHORTLIST	Definition: from which a final selection can be made Anagram of(… fabricated) LOST SHIRT.
Surprise opening of games was irritating (5)	STUNG	Definition: was irritating STUN(to surprise/to shock) + 1st letter of(opening of) "games".
Shot guide (4)	LEAD	Definition: Shot,guide Double defn: 1st: Informal term for a bullet/a shot, so-called from the metal that some of them are made of.
Wise woman collecting hot drink, ignoring the first contraction (9)	SHRINKAGE	Definition: contraction SAGE(a wise woman, or man) containing(collecting) [ H(abbrev. for "hot") + "drink" minus its 1st letter(ignoring the first) ].
At first Charles loiters around a courtyard (8)	CLOISTER	Definition: a courtyard 1st letter of(At first) "Charles" + anagram of(… around) LOITERS.
Discover tragic king has end in prison (5)	LEARN	Definition: Discover LEAR(King, in Shakespeare's tragedy) plus(has) last letter of(end in) "prison".
Rob's pronouncement of a woman who's suitable? (14)	MISAPPROPRIATE	Definition: Rob Homophone of(pronouncement of) "Miss"(an unmarried woman) APPROPRIATE(suitable/fitting), in the style of the title given to a beauty contest winner.
I retain strange apathy (7)	INERTIA	Definition: apathy Anagram of(… strange) I RETAIN. Defn: Tendency to remain unchanged or unmoved resulting from a lack of interest/….
Rich people assume current power; that's confidential information! (3-4)	TIP-OFFS	Definition: confidential information TOFFS(unkind term for rich people) containing(assume) [ I(symbol for "electric current", in physics) + P(symbol for "power", in physics) ].
Evaluate light for game (4,5)	TEST MATCH	Definition: game TEST(to evaluate/assess) + MATCH(a light/a device that produces a flame, as in "have you got a light?"). Defn: … of cricket or rugby between teams representing two different countries.
Feel bitter, then dispatched again (6)	RESENT	Definition: Feel bitter,dispatched again Double defn: 2nd: Sent again.
Lead guitarist to go rehearsing or dancing … (6,8)	GEORGE HARRISON	Definition: Lead guitarist Anagram of(… dancing) GO REHEARSING OR. Defn: … of the pop group, the Beatles.
… this perhaps, showing head's a 6 (5,4)	BOSSA NOVA	Definition: … this perhaps BOSS(head/chief) plus(…'s /has) A + NOVA(a star/answer to 6 across, that, for a while, becomes brighter and then fades back) Defn: Continuing from the previous clue, "dancing this, perhaps", ie. an example of a dance, from Brazil, in this case. Channeling Austin Powers:
Introduction for endless eulogy, appalling (8)	PROLOGUE	Definition: Introduction PRO(for/in favour of) + anagram of(…, appalling) "eulogy" minus its last letters(endless …). Defn: …/introductory section in a literary, dramatic or musical work.
Fool blocking inventions made for girls (7)	LASSIES	Definition: girls ASS(a fool/an idiot) contained in(blocking) LIES(inventions/fabrications).
Judas's men kept under property (7)	TRAITOR	Definition: Judas OR(abbrev. for "other ranks", as opposed to commissioned officers/men in the military) placed below(kept under, in a down clue) TRAIT(a property/a characteristic).
Diplomat to seek advice shortly (6)	CONSUL	Definition: Diplomat "consult"(to seek advice from an expert/consultant) minus its last letter(shortly).
Bath's South African accompanies one in Spain (5)	SAUNA	Definition: Bath SA(abbrev. for "South African") plus(accompanies) UNA(the article "one" applied to feminine nouns in the language of Spain). Defn: Steam ….
Clubs brawl — it could be afters (7)	CRUMBLE	Definition: it could be afters C(symbol for the suit, clubs, in a deck of playing cards) + RUMBLE(a brawl/a street fight between gangs, as between the Jets and the Sharks in West Side Story). Defn: An example of dessert/afters viz. one made of fruit cooked with a flour topping.
Is Panama here, say, following winding path? (6)	HATPEG	Definition: Is Panama here EG(abbrev. for "exempli gratia"/for example/say) placed after(following) anagram of(winding) PATH. Defn: Object from which one might find a Panama hat hanging.
Caught in wind, setter's defective hearing (8)	MISTRIAL	Definition: defective hearing MISTRAL(a strong, cold wind that blows through the Rhone valley) containing(Caught in …) I(the setter using the self-referential pronoun). Defn: A defective/invalid trial/hearing in a court of law.
National kings, say, in finery that's oddly cut back (6)	YEMENI	Definition: National MEN(pieces in a chess game, that include/say, kings) contained in(in) [reversal of(… back) "finery" minus its 1st, 3rd and 5th letters(… that's oddly cut)]. Defn: A … of the Yemen Republic.
Writer's opera lacking spirit and suffering (6,6)	EUGENE O’NEILL	Definition: Writer "Eugene Onegin"(an opera by Tchaikovsky) minus(lacking) "gin"(a strong distilled alcoholic drink/spirit) plus(and) ILL(suffering/unwell).
Currently in silver, far from crazy dresses (3,3,4)	ALL THE RAGE	Definition: Currently in AG(symbol for the chemical element, silver) contained in(… dresses) [ALL THERE](far from crazy/possessing all of one's mental faculties). Defn: …/in fashion right now.
Take in husband evicted in period of arousal (3)	EAT	Definition: Take in "h"(abbrev. for "husband") deleted from(evicted in) "heat"(a period of arousal/intense excitement).
A major, maybe extremely kamikaze, back in army (3)	KEY	Definition: A major 1st and last letters of(extremely) "kamikaze" + last letter of(back in) "army". Defn: What … is in music.
J. Ben-Hur once grabs American with both hands in dance (10)	CHARLESTON	Definition: dance C. HESTON(or Charlton Heston, actor who once played the character Judah Ben-Hur or J. Ben-Hur) containing(grabs) [ A(abbrev. for "American") + R,L(abbrev. of, respectively, both right and left hands) ].
Bill's outing in street through evergreen Berkshire town (5,7)	FIRST READING	Definition: Bill's outing ST(abbrev. for "street") contained in(through) [ FIR(an evergreen coniferous tree) + READING(a town in Berkshire) ]. Defn: …, ie. the first presentation to parliament for discussion of a draft of a proposed law.
Out of neutral voguish clothes (2,4)	IN GEAR	Definition: Out of neutral IN(voguish/in fashion) + GEAR(clothes/attire). Defn: … gear/when the gears of an engine are engaged and ready to transfer power, as in, say, a motor vehicle.
What wit might do with small camping equipment (8)	BEDROLLS	Definition: camping equipment [BE DROLL](what a wit/a humorous person might do to provoke dry, low-key amusement) plus(with) S(abbrev. for "small").
Sober English teacher circles something hard to miss (6)	SITTER	Definition: something hard to miss [ TT(abbrev. for "tee-total"/sober by abstaining from alcohol) + E(abbrev. for "English") ] contained in(… circles) SIR(what schoolboys might call their male teacher). Defn: …, such as an easy goal in football or an easy catch in cricket.
Bread made by student, eaten by grandparent, perhaps (7)	BLOOMER	Definition: Bread L(letter displayed by a learner driver) contained in(eaten by) BOOMER(short for a baby boomer, one who might/perhaps, have become a grandparent by now).
Tease band releasing second disc (4)	COMB	Definition: Tease "combo"(a small band of jazz, rock or pop musicians) minus(releasing) its second "o"(letter representing a disc/a thing circular object). Defn: …/use a comb to separate, say, tangled hair into individual strands..
College administrator skinned bear (4)	URSA	Definition: bear "bursar"(a college administrator, in this case, one who manages the college's financial affairs) minus its 1st and last letters(skinned). Defn: … in Latin, as used in the name of Ursa Major, aka the Bear, a conspicuous constellation of stars.
Stink over hooligans in urban areas (8)	BOROUGHS	Definition: urban areas BO(abbrev. for "body odour"/an unpleasant body smell/stink) placed above(over, in a down clue) ROUGHS(hooligans/thugs).
Duck in English Channel heading north (5)	EVADE	Definition: Duck Reversal of(… heading north, in a down clue) [ E(abbrev. for "English") + DAVE(a television channel in the UK) ].
A redhead with higher energy going grey? (6)	AGEING	Definition: going grey A + GINGE(or "ginger", a term for a red-haired person/a redhead) with its E(symbol for "energy" in physics) moved up(with higher …, in a down clue).
Bushes, perhaps, in dense strip in need of cultivation (10)	PRESIDENTS	Definition: Bushes, perhaps Anagram of(… in need of cultivation) IN DENSE STRIP. Defn: What, in this instance/perhaps, father and son, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush of the USA, were. (And you might say that "dense" and "in need of cultivation" might be an apt description for one of them.)
Group inch aboard craft, an old chopper (10)	GUILLOTINE	Definition: an old chopper [ LOT(a group of similar items) + IN(abbrev. for "inch", the unit of length) ] contained in(aboard) GUILE(craft/cunning). Defn: …, in this instance, used to chop off people's heads, famously used during the French Revolution.
Recipient of handouts has urge to stop saving (6)	BEGGAR	Definition: Recipient of handouts EGG(to urge/to encourage one to do something) contained in(… saving) BAR(to stop/to prohibit someone from doing or going).
Spooner's pastry shortage? This isn't to be trusted (4,2,4)	PACK OF LIES	Definition: This isn't to be trusted Spoonerism of "LACK OF PIES"(a shortage/lack of pies/pastry).
Coward, say, awfully wary, in dire straits (10)	PLAYWRIGHT	Definition: Coward, say Anagram of(awfully) WARY contained in(in) PLIGHT(dire straits/a difficult situation). Defn: Description of, in this instance/say, Sir Noel Coward.
Fix eg Oxford house's exterior with flipping unpleasant look about it (6)	REHEEL	Definition: Fix eg Oxford 1st and last letters of(…'s exterior) "house" contained in(with … about it) reversal of(flipping, in a down clue) LEER(an unpleasant, suggestive look). Defn: …/to replace a specific worn-out part of a shoe, an example of which/eg. is an Oxford.
Working hard in Bermondsey, engaged by sign painter (8)	LEONARDO	Definition: painter [ ON(working/in operation, such as an electrical appliance) + 'ARD("hard" as pronounced by one from Bermondsey, London) ] contained in(engaged by) LEO(an astrological sign). Defn: First name of a famous Italian ….
Gas — more than enough but not all of it (6)	ETHANE	Definition: Gas Hidden in(… but not all of it) "more than enough".
In America, a slight girl coming out clutching the Guardian (5)	DWEEB	Definition: In America, a slight DEB(short for "debutante", a girl coming out/being introduced to fashionable society) containing(clutching) WE(the presenter of this crossword, the Guardian using the plural self-referential pronoun). Defn: …/an insult by calling someone a socially inept person.
Poor area in endless recession (4)	SLUM	Definition: Poor area "slump"(a recession/an economic downturn) minus its last letter(endless …).
Ruler after revolution dreads possessor confiscating article (4)	TSAR	Definition: Ruler Reversal of(after revolution …) ["Rasta"(short for a Rastafarian who has/possesses dreads/dreadlocks) minus(confiscating) "a"(an article in grammar)]. Defn: …/emperor of Russia, formerly.
Bombshell hasn't the head for drink (4)	HOCK	Definition: drink "shock"(a bombshell/a surprise) minus its 1st letter(hasn't the head).
It's forbidden to strike rebounding balls (5)	TABOO	Definition: It's forbidden Reversal of(… rebounding) BAT(to strike/hit) + OO(2 x letter representing a ball/round object).
Fascination with drug to lose lustre (4)	FADE	Definition: to lose lustre FAD(a fascination with/an enthusiasm for something) plus(with) E(abbrev. for Ecstasy, the drug).
I make a point by removing dead wood (6,9)	PENCIL SHARPENER	Definition: I make a point by removing dead wood Cryptic defn: The tool used on the writing instrument to remove dead wood, wood that serves no purpose when the lead it surrounds has become blunt.
Plane figures in Spooner's order to attack East Sussex town (6)	RHOMBI	Definition: Plane figures Spoonerism of [ "bomb"(an order to attack, with bombs) "Rye"(a town in East Sussex, England). Defn: 2-dimensional/….
Dog Day Afternoon impresses one note Pacino's in the lead (8)	ALSATIAN	Definition: Dog { SAT(abbrev. for "Saturday") + A(abbrev. for "afternoon") contained in(impresses) [ I(Roman numeral for "one") + N(abbrev. for "note") ] } placed after(…'s in the lead) AL(Pacino, American actor). Defn: .. aka the German Shepherd.
Something nasty by way of incomplete knowledge (8)	PATHOGEN	Definition: Something nasty PATH(a way/a track) + "of" minus its last letter(incomplete) + GEN(knowledge/information).
Features of Barnet clearly detailed by Eliot's precursors? (6)	PLAITS	Definition: Features of Barnet "plain"(clearly/without any ambiguity) minus its last letter(detailed) + T.S.(the letters before/precursors to "Eliot", the last name of a major poet). Defn: …, the latter being rhyming slang for "hair", from "Barnet Fair".
Slow NY lawyer put in charge of exchange (6)	ADAGIO	Definition: Slow DA(abbrev. for "District Attorney", a lawyer in, say, NY/New York, USA, in the role of chief prosecutor) contained in(put in) AGIO(a charge/fee paid on the exchange of one currency to another). Defn: A musical direction to play in … time.
Witty comments about terms at St Andrews? (8)	REPARTEE	Definition: Witty comments RE(with reference to/about) + [ PAR(the standard score for a hole in golf) +TEE(the area from where one starts playing a hole in golf) ](both terms that one comes across at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews).
Entirely pointlessly in June, unfortunately, I just abandoned physical activity (3-5)	JIU-JITSU	Definition: physical activity Anagram of(…, unfortunately) "in June" minus(Entirely pointlessly …) "n,n,e"(abbrev. for 2 x "north" and "east" respectively, compass points) + anagram of(… abandoned) I JUST.
Wandering bombastic speech by former church leader (6)	ERRANT	Definition: Wandering RANT(bombastic/blustery speech) placed after(by) ER(abbrev. for "Elizabeth Regina", Queen Elizabeth, formerly leader/Supreme Governor of the Church of England). Defn: …/straying from the straight and narrow.
Inept couple both misinterpreted welcoming notice on door? (4,2,3,6)	OPEN TO THE PUBLIC	Definition: welcoming notice on door Anagram of(… misinterpreted) INEPT COUPLE BOTH.
Fancies spending a day in Rome (4)	IDES	Definition: day in Rome "ideas"(fancies/notions) minus(spending) "a". Defn: A day in the ancient Roman calendar.

Consumes escalope after turtle soup for starters (4)

EATS

Definition: Consumes **1st letters, respectively, of**(… for starters) "escalope after turtle soup".

Let bloke from Bow attach architectural feature (10)

IMPEDIMENT

Definition: Let 'IM("him"/that bloke/man, as spoken by one from Bow in the London East End) **plus**(attach) PEDIMENT(an architectural feature, viz. the triangular upper part of a classical building). Defn: …/a hindrance.

Lower River Test cutting (6)

DEMOTE

Definition: Lower DEE(a river in N Wales and NW England) **containing**(… cutting) MOT(in the UK, an annual test for motor vehicles' roadworthiness, from the abbreviation for the Ministry of Transport).

Extends contract and steps down (7)

RESIGNS

Definition: Extends contract,steps down Double defn: 1st: Signs another contract on expiry of the previous one; and 2nd: … from a post/job position.

Friends in bars discussed people behind bars (7)

INMATES

Definition: people behind bars **Homophone of**(… discussed) "inn mates"(how one might describe friend/mates in various inns/bars). Defn: …, prison bars, that is.

Green bananas the beginning of your vitality (6)

ENERGY

Definition: vitality **Anagram of**(… bananas) GREEN + **1st letter of**(the beginning of) "your".

Top wine collection mentioned in book? (4,6)

BEST SELLER

Definition: book? BEST(top/unbeaten) + **homophone of**(… mentioned) "cellar"(s stock/collection of wine, often to be found in a, well, cellar). Defn: Possibly/? a best-selling ….

Split taps work (4)

CHOP

Definition: Split CH(abbrev. for "cold" and "hot" respectively, as found on water taps) + OP(abbrev. for "opus", a major musical or literary work).

Joy of endless intimacy (7)

ELATION

Definition: Joy **1st and last letters deleted from**(endless) "relations"(sexual or otherwise intimacy/intercourse).

Impact of Tory diplomacy (7)

CONTACT

Definition: Impact CON(abbrev. for a Conservative Party member/a Tory) + TACT(diplomacy/discreetness). Defn: …/action of coming together, forcibly)

Beach borders start of terribly unproductive land (3-5)

SET-ASIDE

Definition: unproductive land SEASIDE(the beach/coastline) **containing**(borders) **1st letter of**(start of) "terribly". Defn: …/land that is taken out of production to reduce crop surpluses.

Schumann's opening surprisingly lofty for piano (6)

SOFTLY

Definition: piano **1st letter of**(…'s opening) "Schumann" + **anagram of**(surprisingly) LOFTY. Defn: …, the musical direction of play softly. And, of course, Robert Schumann was a composer and pianist.

Grounds to invest in South America (8)

SUSPENDS

Definition: Grounds SPEND(to invest/to employ, say, time or effort, doing something for a cause) **contained in**(in) [ S(abbrev. for "south") + US(abbrev. for the United States of America) ]. Defn: Prevents an activity from happening, such as the social activities of child who is being punished.

Female replaces husband in conglomeration of merchants and artisans (9)

CRAFTSMEN

Definition: artisans F(abbrev. for "female") **replacing**(replaces … in) "h"(abbrev. for "husband" in) **anagram of**(conglomeration of) "merchants".

Fast or slow having nothing to lose (4)

LENT

Definition: Fast "lento"(musical direction to play slowly) **minus**(having … to lose) "o"(letter representing 0/nothing). Defn: The … undertaken by Christians in the period before Easter.

Former magazine auditor (8)

LISTENER

Definition: Former magazine,auditor Double defn: 1st: … published weekly by the BBC.

Demands trains (10)

CONDITIONS

Definition: Demands,trains Double defn: 1st: Requirements that must be met before something else can or be allowed to happen; and 2nd: To mould behaviour in a certain way, as Pavlov did with his dogs.

Suggest upgrade to rear lift (5)

RAISE

Definition: Suggest,upgrade,to rear,lift Multiple defns: 1st: …/bring ups, say, an issue for discussion; 2nd: …/to promote, say, from one class to another above; 3rd: …/to nurture babies or children to adulthood; and 4th: …/to physically or metaphorically bring from a lower to a higher position.

Reacts badly in icy run (6)

CRESTA

Definition: icy run **Anagram of**(… badly) REACTS. Defn: The act of travelling swiftly on a toboggan down a passage of compacted snow and ice.

It doesn't pay to upset America endlessly (5)

CRIME

Definition: It doesn't pay **Anagram of**(to upset) [ "America" **minus ****its 1st and last letters**(endlessly) ]. Defn: From the saying that tells you why not to commit a criminal act.

Cooks joints in vessels (10)

STEAMSHIPS

Definition: vessels STEAMS(cooks food by heating it in steam) + HIPS(joints between the torso and legs in primates or hind legs in quadrupeds).

Tricky opponents on Tyneside? (5-4)

NORTH-EAST

Definition: Tyneside NORTH,EAST(representing players in opposing 2-person teams in the card game of bridge, where tricks are won). Defn: …, located in the North East region of England.

Rested, having marked out playing field earlier (8)

RECLINED

Definition: Rested LINED(marked out with lines, obviously) **placed after**(… earlier) REC(informal term for a recreational ground/a playing field).

Understanding myth pays off (8)

SYMPATHY

Definition: Understanding **Anagram of**(… off) MYTH PAYS.

Kisses Boris bottling up torment (6)

OBSESS

Definition: torment **Hidden in**(… bottling) **reversal of**(… up, in a down clue) "Kisses Boris". Defn: To fill one's mind continually with troubling/tormenting thoughts.

Remarkably cheap fruit (5)

PEACH

Definition: fruit **Anagram of**(Remarkably) CHEAP.

Elegant form of transport on the rise (5)

SMART

Definition: Elegant **Reversal of**(… on the rise, in a down clue) TRAMS(a form of public transport, viz. vehicles powered by electricity from overhead cables and running on rails).

Cancel a French party (4)

UNDO

Definition: Cancel UN(French for "a") + DO(a party/a social function).

Journo to broadcast on cultism (9)

COLUMNIST

Definition: Journo **Anagram of**(to broadcast) ON CULTISM. Defn: …/journalist.

Celebrity of revolutionary traitors (4)

STAR

Definition: Celebrity **Reversal of**(revolutionary) RATS(traitors/betrayers).

Salvo exploded into rounded shapes (5)

OVALS

Definition: rounded shapes **Anagram of**(… exploded) SALVO.

Former partner pinches trains (9)

EXPRESSES

Definition: trains EX(one's former partner/ex-wife or ex-lover) + PRESSSES(pinches/puts pressure on, as in "my new shoes are pinching on my feet"). Defn: … moving at express speeds and making few intermediate stops.

Play area has smooth hollow (7)

SANDPIT

Definition: Play area SAND(to smooth with, say, sandpaper) + PIT(a hollow/a hole dug out in the ground).

Person enjoying liberty heartlessly imprisoning one who rescues cats? (7)

FIREMAN

Definition: who rescues cats? "freeman"(person enjoying liberty/one who is not a slave or in bondage) **minus ****its middle letter**(heartlessly) **containing**(imprisoning) I(Roman numeral for "one"). Defn: Answer to the question: "…?"

Something that produces red pickle (13)

EMBARRASSMENT

Definition: Something that produces red pickle Cryptic defn: A pickle/a difficult situation one finds oneself in, causing one's complexion to go red.

Temporary miss, perhaps (6,7)

SUPPLY TEACHER

Definition: Temporary miss, perhaps Cryptic defn: A relief/temporary teacher, whom pupils might/perhaps address as "Miss".

Old changes to organs (7)

OVARIES

Definition: organs O(abbrev. for "old") + VARIES(changes/alterations).

A god of love originally one can produce a cloud (7)

AEROSOL

Definition: one can produce a cloud A + EROS(the Greek god of love) + **1st letters, respectively, of**(… originally) "of love". Defn: …/a fine spray of, say, deodorant.

Lost shirt fabricated (from which a final selection can be made) (9)

SHORTLIST

Definition: from which a final selection can be made **Anagram of**(… fabricated) LOST SHIRT.

Surprise opening of games was irritating (5)

STUNG

Definition: was irritating STUN(to surprise/to shock) + **1st letter of**(opening of) "games".

Shot guide (4)

LEAD

Definition: Shot,guide Double defn: 1st: Informal term for a bullet/a shot, so-called from the metal that some of them are made of.

Wise woman collecting hot drink, ignoring the first contraction (9)

SHRINKAGE

Definition: contraction SAGE(a wise woman, or man) **containing**(collecting) [ H(abbrev. for "hot") + "drink" **minus ****its 1st letter**(ignoring the first) ].

At first Charles loiters around a courtyard (8)

CLOISTER

Definition: a courtyard **1st letter of**(At first) "Charles" + **anagram of**(… around) LOITERS.

Discover tragic king has end in prison (5)

LEARN

Definition: Discover LEAR(King, in Shakespeare's tragedy) **plus**(has) **last letter of**(end in) "prison".

Rob's pronouncement of a woman who's suitable? (14)

MISAPPROPRIATE

Definition: Rob **Homophone of**(pronouncement of) "Miss"(an unmarried woman) APPROPRIATE(suitable/fitting), in the style of the title given to a beauty contest winner.

I retain strange apathy (7)

INERTIA

Definition: apathy **Anagram of**(… strange) I RETAIN. Defn: Tendency to remain unchanged or unmoved resulting from a lack of interest/….

Rich people assume current power; that's confidential information! (3-4)

TIP-OFFS

Definition: confidential information TOFFS(unkind term for rich people) **containing**(assume) [ I(symbol for "electric current", in physics) + P(symbol for "power", in physics) ].

Evaluate light for game (4,5)

TEST MATCH

Definition: game TEST(to evaluate/assess) + MATCH(a light/a device that produces a flame, as in "have you got a light?"). Defn: … of cricket or rugby between teams representing two different countries.

Feel bitter, then dispatched again (6)

RESENT

Definition: Feel bitter,dispatched again Double defn: 2nd: Sent again.

Lead guitarist to go rehearsing or dancing … (6,8)

GEORGE HARRISON

Definition: Lead guitarist **Anagram of**(… dancing) GO REHEARSING OR. Defn: … of the pop group, the Beatles.

… this perhaps, showing head's a 6 (5,4)

BOSSA NOVA

Definition: … this perhaps BOSS(head/chief) **plus**(…'s /has) A + NOVA(a star/answer to 6 across, that, for a while, becomes brighter and then fades back) Defn: Continuing from the previous clue, "dancing this, perhaps", ie. an example of a dance, from Brazil, in this case. Channeling Austin Powers:

Introduction for endless eulogy, appalling (8)

PROLOGUE

Definition: Introduction PRO(for/in favour of) + **anagram of**(…, appalling) "eulogy" **minus ****its last letters**(endless …). Defn: …/introductory section in a literary, dramatic or musical work.

Fool blocking inventions made for girls (7)

LASSIES

Definition: girls ASS(a fool/an idiot) **contained in**(blocking) LIES(inventions/fabrications).

Judas's men kept under property (7)

TRAITOR

Definition: Judas OR(abbrev. for "other ranks", as opposed to commissioned officers/men in the military) **placed below**(kept under, in a down clue) TRAIT(a property/a characteristic).

Diplomat to seek advice shortly (6)

CONSUL

Definition: Diplomat "consult"(to seek advice from an expert/consultant) **minus ****its last letter**(shortly).

Bath's South African accompanies one in Spain (5)

SAUNA

Definition: Bath SA(abbrev. for "South African") **plus**(accompanies) UNA(the article "one" applied to feminine nouns in the language of Spain). Defn: Steam ….

Clubs brawl — it could be afters (7)

CRUMBLE

Definition: it could be afters C(symbol for the suit, clubs, in a deck of playing cards) + RUMBLE(a brawl/a street fight between gangs, as between the Jets and the Sharks in West Side Story). Defn: An example of dessert/afters viz. one made of fruit cooked with a flour topping.

Is Panama here, say, following winding path? (6)

HATPEG

Definition: Is Panama here EG(abbrev. for "exempli gratia"/for example/say) **placed after**(following) **anagram of**(winding) PATH. Defn: Object from which one might find a Panama hat hanging.

Caught in wind, setter's defective hearing (8)

MISTRIAL

Definition: defective hearing MISTRAL(a strong, cold wind that blows through the Rhone valley) **containing**(Caught in …) I(the setter using the self-referential pronoun). Defn: A defective/invalid trial/hearing in a court of law.

National kings, say, in finery that's oddly cut back (6)

YEMENI

Definition: National MEN(pieces in a chess game, that include/say, kings) **contained in**(in) [**reversal of**(… back) "finery" **minus its 1st, 3rd and 5th letters**(… that's oddly cut)]. Defn: A … of the Yemen Republic.

Writer's opera lacking spirit and suffering (6,6)

EUGENE O’NEILL

Definition: Writer "Eugene Onegin"(an opera by Tchaikovsky) **minus**(lacking) "gin"(a strong distilled alcoholic drink/spirit) **plus**(and) ILL(suffering/unwell).

Currently in silver, far from crazy dresses (3,3,4)

ALL THE RAGE

Definition: Currently in AG(symbol for the chemical element, silver) **contained in**(… dresses) [ALL THERE](far from crazy/possessing all of one's mental faculties). Defn: …/in fashion right now.

Take in husband evicted in period of arousal (3)

EAT

Definition: Take in "h"(abbrev. for "husband") **deleted from**(evicted in) "heat"(a period of arousal/intense excitement).

A major, maybe extremely kamikaze, back in army (3)

KEY

Definition: A major **1st and last letters of**(extremely) "kamikaze" + **last letter of**(back in) "army". Defn: What … is in music.

J. Ben-Hur once grabs American with both hands in dance (10)

CHARLESTON

Definition: dance C. HESTON(or Charlton Heston, actor who once played the character Judah Ben-Hur or J. Ben-Hur) **containing**(grabs) [ A(abbrev. for "American") + R,L(abbrev. of, respectively, both right and left hands) ].

Bill's outing in street through evergreen Berkshire town (5,7)

FIRST READING

Definition: Bill's outing ST(abbrev. for "street") **contained in**(through) [ FIR(an evergreen coniferous tree) + READING(a town in Berkshire) ]. Defn: …, ie. the first presentation to parliament for discussion of a draft of a proposed law.

Out of neutral voguish clothes (2,4)

IN GEAR

Definition: Out of neutral IN(voguish/in fashion) + GEAR(clothes/attire). Defn: … gear/when the gears of an engine are engaged and ready to transfer power, as in, say, a motor vehicle.

What wit might do with small camping equipment (8)

BEDROLLS

Definition: camping equipment [BE DROLL](what a wit/a humorous person might do to provoke dry, low-key amusement) **plus**(with) S(abbrev. for "small").

Sober English teacher circles something hard to miss (6)

SITTER

Definition: something hard to miss [ TT(abbrev. for "tee-total"/sober by abstaining from alcohol) + E(abbrev. for "English") ] **contained in**(… circles) SIR(what schoolboys might call their male teacher). Defn: …, such as an easy goal in football or an easy catch in cricket.

Bread made by student, eaten by grandparent, perhaps (7)

BLOOMER

Definition: Bread L(letter displayed by a learner driver) **contained in**(eaten by) BOOMER(short for a baby boomer, one who might/perhaps, have become a grandparent by now).

Tease band releasing second disc (4)

COMB

Definition: Tease "combo"(a small band of jazz, rock or pop musicians) **minus**(releasing) **its second** "o"(letter representing a disc/a thing circular object). Defn: …/use a comb to separate, say, tangled hair into individual strands..

College administrator skinned bear (4)

URSA

Definition: bear "bursar"(a college administrator, in this case, one who manages the college's financial affairs) **minus ****its 1st and last letters**(skinned). Defn: … in Latin, as used in the name of Ursa Major, aka the Bear, a conspicuous constellation of stars.

Stink over hooligans in urban areas (8)

BOROUGHS

Definition: urban areas BO(abbrev. for "body odour"/an unpleasant body smell/stink) **placed above**(over, in a down clue) ROUGHS(hooligans/thugs).

Duck in English Channel heading north (5)

EVADE

Definition: Duck **Reversal of**(… heading north, in a down clue) [ E(abbrev. for "English") + DAVE(a television channel in the UK) ].

A redhead with higher energy going grey? (6)

AGEING

Definition: going grey A + GINGE(or "ginger", a term for a red-haired person/a redhead) **with its** E(symbol for "energy" in physics) **moved up**(with higher …, in a down clue).

Bushes, perhaps, in dense strip in need of cultivation (10)

PRESIDENTS

Definition: Bushes, perhaps **Anagram of**(… in need of cultivation) IN DENSE STRIP. Defn: What, in this instance/perhaps, father and son, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush of the USA, were. (And you might say that "dense" and "in need of cultivation" might be an apt description for one of them.)

Group inch aboard craft, an old chopper (10)

GUILLOTINE

Definition: an old chopper [ LOT(a group of similar items) + IN(abbrev. for "inch", the unit of length) ] **contained in**(aboard) GUILE(craft/cunning). Defn: …, in this instance, used to chop off people's heads, famously used during the French Revolution.

Recipient of handouts has urge to stop saving (6)

BEGGAR

Definition: Recipient of handouts EGG(to urge/to encourage one to do something) **contained in**(… saving) BAR(to stop/to prohibit someone from doing or going).

Spooner's pastry shortage? This isn't to be trusted (4,2,4)

PACK OF LIES

Definition: This isn't to be trusted **Spoonerism of** "LACK OF PIES"(a shortage/lack of pies/pastry).

Coward, say, awfully wary, in dire straits (10)

PLAYWRIGHT

Definition: Coward, say **Anagram of**(awfully) WARY **contained in**(in) PLIGHT(dire straits/a difficult situation). Defn: Description of, in this instance/say, Sir Noel Coward.

Fix eg Oxford house's exterior with flipping unpleasant look about it (6)

REHEEL

Definition: Fix eg Oxford **1st and last letters of**(…'s exterior) "house" **contained in**(with … about it) **reversal of**(flipping, in a down clue) LEER(an unpleasant, suggestive look). Defn: …/to replace a specific worn-out part of a shoe, an example of which/eg. is an Oxford.

Working hard in Bermondsey, engaged by sign painter (8)

LEONARDO

Definition: painter [ ON(working/in operation, such as an electrical appliance) + 'ARD("hard" as pronounced by one from Bermondsey, London) ] **contained in**(engaged by) LEO(an astrological sign). Defn: First name of a famous Italian ….

Gas — more than enough but not all of it (6)

ETHANE

Definition: Gas **Hidden in**(… but not all of it) "more than enough".

In America, a slight girl coming out clutching the Guardian (5)

DWEEB

Definition: In America, a slight DEB(short for "debutante", a girl coming out/being introduced to fashionable society) **containing**(clutching) WE(the presenter of this crossword, the Guardian using the plural self-referential pronoun). Defn: …/an insult by calling someone a socially inept person.

Poor area in endless recession (4)

SLUM

Definition: Poor area "slump"(a recession/an economic downturn) **minus ****its last letter**(endless …).

Ruler after revolution dreads possessor confiscating article (4)

TSAR

Definition: Ruler **Reversal of**(after revolution …) ["Rasta"(short for a Rastafarian who has/possesses dreads/dreadlocks) **minus**(confiscating) "a"(an article in grammar)]. Defn: …/emperor of Russia, formerly.

Bombshell hasn't the head for drink (4)

HOCK

Definition: drink "shock"(a bombshell/a surprise) **minus ****its 1st letter**(hasn't the head).

It's forbidden to strike rebounding balls (5)

TABOO

Definition: It's forbidden **Reversal of**(… rebounding) BAT(to strike/hit) + OO(2 x letter representing a ball/round object).

Fascination with drug to lose lustre (4)

FADE

Definition: to lose lustre FAD(a fascination with/an enthusiasm for something) **plus**(with) E(abbrev. for Ecstasy, the drug).

I make a point by removing dead wood (6,9)

PENCIL SHARPENER

Definition: I make a point by removing dead wood Cryptic defn: The tool used on the writing instrument to remove dead wood, wood that serves no purpose when the lead it surrounds has become blunt.

Plane figures in Spooner's order to attack East Sussex town (6)

RHOMBI

Definition: Plane figures **Spoonerism of** [ "bomb"(an order to attack, with bombs) "Rye"(a town in East Sussex, England). Defn: 2-dimensional/….

Dog Day Afternoon impresses one note Pacino's in the lead (8)

ALSATIAN

Definition: Dog { SAT(abbrev. for "Saturday") + A(abbrev. for "afternoon") **contained in**(impresses) [ I(Roman numeral for "one") + N(abbrev. for "note") ] } **placed after**(…'s in the lead) AL(Pacino, American actor). Defn: .. aka the German Shepherd.

Something nasty by way of incomplete knowledge (8)

PATHOGEN

Definition: Something nasty PATH(a way/a track) + "of" **minus ****its last letter**(incomplete) + GEN(knowledge/information).

Features of Barnet clearly detailed by Eliot's precursors? (6)

PLAITS

Definition: Features of Barnet "plain"(clearly/without any ambiguity) **minus ****its last letter**(detailed) + T.S.(the letters before/precursors to "Eliot", the last name of a major poet). Defn: …, the latter being rhyming slang for "hair", from "Barnet Fair".

Slow NY lawyer put in charge of exchange (6)

ADAGIO

Definition: Slow DA(abbrev. for "District Attorney", a lawyer in, say, NY/New York, USA, in the role of chief prosecutor) **contained in**(put in) AGIO(a charge/fee paid on the exchange of one currency to another). Defn: A musical direction to play in … time.

Witty comments about terms at St Andrews? (8)

REPARTEE

Definition: Witty comments RE(with reference to/about) + [ PAR(the standard score for a hole in golf) +TEE(the area from where one starts playing a hole in golf) ](both terms that one comes across at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews).

Entirely pointlessly in June, unfortunately, I just abandoned physical activity (3-5)

JIU-JITSU

Definition: physical activity **Anagram of**(…, unfortunately) "in June" **minus**(Entirely pointlessly …) "n,n,e"(abbrev. for 2 x "north" and "east" respectively, compass points) + **anagram of**(… abandoned) I JUST.

Wandering bombastic speech by former church leader (6)

ERRANT

Definition: Wandering RANT(bombastic/blustery speech) **placed after**(by) ER(abbrev. for "Elizabeth Regina", Queen Elizabeth, formerly leader/Supreme Governor of the Church of England). Defn: …/straying from the straight and narrow.

Inept couple both misinterpreted welcoming notice on door? (4,2,3,6)

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Definition: welcoming notice on door **Anagram of**(… misinterpreted) INEPT COUPLE BOTH.

Fancies spending a day in Rome (4)

IDES

Definition: day in Rome "ideas"(fancies/notions) **minus**(spending) "a". Defn: A day in the ancient Roman calendar.