0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Go to special sweetheart at last? (5)	TRYST	Definition: Go to special sweetheart TRY(a go/an attempt at) + S(abbrev. for "special") + last letter of(… at last) "sweetheart". Defn: …/have a private and romantic date with one's lover.
Image brides hold in their hearts? (4)	IDOL	Definition: Image Middle 2 letters, respectively, of(… in their hearts) "brides hold". Defn: …/representation of a god as an object of worship.
Sight defect produced by excessive work starts to impair academic (9)	HYPEROPIA	Definition: Sight defect HYPER-(prefix indicating "excessive"/above normal) + OP(abbrev. for "opus", a musical or literary piece of work) + 1st letters, respectively, of(starts to) "impair academic". Defn: …, specifically, farsightedness.
Prepare to swindle officer cadet on vacation (7)	CONCOCT	Definition: Prepare CON(to swindle/trick) + CO(abbrev. for "Commanding Office") + "cadet" minus its inner letters(on vacation). Defn: …/make by combining different ingredients, as with a cocktail, say.
Man interrupting singer after Tosca's entrance gets tongue-lashing (7-2)	TALKING-TO	Definition: tongue-lashing [ KING(man/a piece in chess) contained in(interrupting) ALTO(a person with the highest adult male singing voice, or with the lowest female singing voice) ] placed below(after, in a down clue) 1st letter of(…'s entrance) "Tosca".
Scrooge's take on weather in Islamic state? (7)	BAHRAIN	Definition: Islamic state BAH!(an expression of disgust, as in "Bah! Humbug!", Ebenezer Scrooge's take on Christmas) + RAIN(wet weather).
Plants depicted by fine artists (5)	OKRAS	Definition: Plants OK("okay"/fine) + RA(abbrev. for a member of the Royal Academy of Arts, an artist)S . … aka ladies fingers.
This sort of channel could create a riot (4- 2-3)	FREE-TO-AIR	Definition: This sort of channel Reverse clue: Anagram of(FREE) TO-AIR gives(could create) "a riot". Defn: … on TV.
Players must support director that's to shape The Crucible's lead (3-4)	DIE-CAST	Definition: to shape The Crucible's lead CAST(group of plays acting in a play or film) placed below(must support, in a down clue) [ D(abbrev. for "director") + IE(abbrev. for "id est"/that is/that's) ]. Defn: To shape a quantity of molten lead, the metal, by pouring it into a mould, after it has been melted in a crucible/a ceramic or metallic pot able to withstand high temperature.
Eminent judge goes into decline after losing face for rowdy behaviour (4,5)	HIGH JINKS	Definition: rowdy behaviour HIGH(eminent/top-level) + J(abbrev. for "Judge") + "sinks"(goes into decline/drops downwards) minus its 1st letter(after losing face).
Leading theatre school not right to withdraw course for West Indians (6,3)	PEPPER POT	Definition: course for West Indians Reversal of(… to withdraw) [ TOP(leading/first) + REP(short for "repertory"/theatre, the collective noun for plays, operas or ballets) + "prep"(short for "prep/preparatory school", a private school for children up to about 13 years old) minus(not) "r"(abbrev. for "right") ]. Defn: A dish served in various Caribbean islands/West Indies.
Doubtful about wearing infected animal's skin (9)	SCEPTICAL	Definition: Doubtful C(abbrev. for "circa", about when referring to specific years) contained in(wearing) SEPTIC(infected/festering with micro-organisms) + 1st and last letters of(…'s skin) "animal".
Trickled through dehydrated casing very softly (7)	DRIPPED	Definition: Trickled through DRIED(dehydrated/having had the water removed, as with preserved food) containing(casing) PP(abbrev. for "pianissimo", musical direct to play very softly).
Not completely? For Americans, though, being ahead would make it so (7)	ROUGHLY	Definition: Not completely Reverse clue: ROUGHLY placed after(…, being ahead) "tho"(For Americans, though) gives(would make it) "thoroughly"(so/in this instance "completely").
Advertised piece of cobalt rail edging (7)	TRAILED	Definition: Advertised Hidden in(piece of) "cobalt rail edging". Defn: …/gave advance publicity to, say, a film.
Swimmer needs time to cover most of course (5)	TROUT	Definition: Swimmer T(abbrev. for "time") placed above(to cover, in a down clue) "route""(a course/a path that is followed) minus its last letter(most of …).
Everyone is wearing blue around American city (6)	DALLAS	Definition: American city ALL(everyone) contained in (is wearing) reversal of(… around) SAD(blue/feeling down).
Enterprise possibly shown by trendy celebrities previously (8)	STARSHIP	Definition: Enterprise possibly HIP(trendy/cool) placed after(… previously) STARS(celebrities/famous people). Defn: Possibly/could be refering to the USS Enterprise, a fictional spacecraft in the Star Trek TV and film series. The first in the line of NCC-1701s:
Pollute river that will carry scum miles away (6)	DEFILE	Definition: Pollute DEE(a river in the British Isles – more than one with the same name) containing(that will carry) "film"(a thin layer over a surface, in this case of dirt or froth on a liquid/scum) minus(… away) "m"(abbrev. for "miles").
Kidnapper is muscular type (8)	ABDUCTOR	Definition: Kidnapper,muscular type Double defn: 1st: One who takes someone away by force or deception; and 2nd: A type of muscle that draws a limb away from the central line of the body.
Place to go surfing and then have lunch? (9)	CYBERCAFE	Definition: Place to go surfing and then have lunch Cryptic defn: A commercial establishment where access to the Internet is available for you to surf, on your computer or ones provided there, and to have food and drinks.
Money in stupidity female's withdrawn for student (5)	LOLLY	Definition: Money "folly"(stupidity/foolishness) with "f"(abbrev. for "female") replaced by(…'s withdrawn for) "l"(letter displayed by a learner driver). Defn: Informal term for ….
Almost entitle Chinese to run country? (13)	LIECHTENSTEIN	Definition: country Anagram of(… to run) [ "entitle" minus its last letter(Almost …) + CHINESE].
Engineer said soft mortar between bricks is inadequate (13)	DISAPPOINTING	Definition: inadequate Anagram of(Engineer) SAID + P(abbrev. for "piano", a musical direction to play softly) + POINTING(the mortar used to fill the joints between bricks in brickwork).
Old man sacked by competent guy? (5)	CABLE	Definition: guy "pa"(like "old man", an informal term for one's father) deleted from(sacked by) "capable"(competent/having the ability to do something successfully). Defn: …/a rope or line fixed to the ground to secure a tent or other structure.
Rudeness from oddball seen with Colin (9)	INSOLENCE	Definition: Rudeness Anagram of(oddball) [SEEN plus(with) COLIN].
Source of protein to feed country creature (8)	TERRAPIN	Definition: creature 1st letter of(Source of) "protein" contained in(to feed) TERRAIN(country/a stretch of land and its physical features). These have red ears:
Elderly drinking wine endlessly? It's okay (6)	AGREED	Definition: okay AGED(elderly/old) containing(drinking) "red"(short for "red wine") minus its last letter(endlessly).
Move from Hell? (8)	DISPLACE	Definition: Move from [DIS(the Roman god of the underworld) PLACE(where one resides/home)](Hell).
Meaty waffles hypermarket stocks (6)	FLESHY	Definition: Meaty Hidden in(… stocks) "waffles hypermarket".
Gather moderate Democrat will oust Republican (6)	DEDUCE	Definition: Gather "reduce"(to moderate/to make smaller in degree or size, away from an extreme) with "D"(abbrev. for a member of the Democratic Party) replacing(will oust) "R"(abbrev. for a member of the Republican Party). Defn: …/to conclude.
They could help rescue career hit hard by recession essentially (4,5)	LIFE BELTS	Definition: They could help rescue LIFE(one's way of life, in this case, one's occupation or profession) + BELT(to hit with heavy blows) + middle letter of(… essentially) "recession".
In general worried about US city risking being evacuated (2,5)	AT LARGE	Definition: In general ATE(worried/bothered) containing(about) [ LA(abbrev. for "Los Angeles", US city) + "risking" minus its inner letters(being evacuated) ].
Number wrong to be upset following board game (5,6)	TABLE TENNIS	Definition: game [ TEN(number 10) + reversal of(… to be upset, in a down clue) SIN(a wrong/an offence) ] placed after(following) TABLE(board/the food that is provided). Remember ping-pong diplomacy?:
Problems heading off getting ready for Moscow trip? (7)	ROUBLES	Definition: ready for Moscow trip "troubles"(problems/difficulties) minus its 1st letter(heading off). Defn: Ready/money to be used in Moscow, Russia.
Holidaymakers' initial destination perhaps in Lesotho not so awful? (5)	HOTEL	Definition: Holidaymakers' initial destination perhaps Anagram of(… awful) [ "Lesotho" minus(not) "so" ]. Defn: …. Also word representing the 1st letter of(… initial) "Holidaymakers" in the phonetic alphabet.
Having fun at celebration, saying goodbye hugging unknown character (8)	PARTYING	Definition: Having fun at celebration PARTING(goodbye/act of leaving) containing(hugging) Y(symbol/character for an unknown quantity in maths.).
Erotic chap dancing round pole, Tim's rival occasionally (11)	APHRODISIAC	Definition: Erotic Anagram of(… dancing) CHAP containing(round) [ ROD(a pole/a staff) + 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th letters of(… occasionally) "Tim's rival" ].
Provokes female perhaps to divide English and Poles (9)	ENGENDERS	Definition: Provokes GENDER(an example/perhaps of which in grammar is "female") contained in(to divide) [ E(abbrev. for "English") + N,S(abbrev. for "North" and "South" Poles, respectively) ].
Dead cute criminal is well-read (8)	EDUCATED	Definition: well-read Anagram of(cute criminal) DEAD CUTE.
Heard maybe description of nun's childhood to be accepted (7)	PREVAIL	Definition: accepted Homophone of(Heard maybe) "pre-veil"(a whimsical description of the childhood of one before/pre becoming a nun/taking the veil). Defn: …/be predominant.
Crooked European visits sick former prisoner in retirement (7)	ILLEGAL	Definition: Crooked E(abbrev. for "European") placed after(visits) ILL(sick/unwell) + reversal of(… in retirement) LAG(a former prisoner/an ex-convict).
Prime US prosecutor occupies two years going after ambassador (6)	HEYDAY	Definition: Prime [ DA(abbrev. for "District Attorney", public prosecutor in the US) contained in(occupies) Y,Y(2 x abbrev. "year") ] placed below(going after, in a down clue) HE(abbrev. for "His/Her Excellency", form of address for an ambassador). Defn: …/period of someone's or something's greatest success/at one's peak.
Poet feels terribly hot (5)	BURNS	Definition: Poet,feels terribly hot Double defn: 1st: Robert, Scottish poet.
The last to get a shift shows furtive manner (7)	STEALTH	Definition: furtive manner Anagram of(… to get a shift) THE LAST.
Idiot has to stop detaining fine all-female group (7)	HALFWIT	Definition: Idiot HALT(to stop moving or doing) containing(detaining) [ F(abbrev. for "fine") + WI(abbrev. for the Women's Institute, an all-female group/community organisation) ].
Pulse starts to trouble husband resting on bed (5)	THROB	Definition: Pulse 1st letters, respectively, of(starts to) "trouble husband resting on bed".
Stock fare prepared for working party (4,5)	TASK FORCE	Definition: working party Anagram of(… prepared) STOCK FARE.
Grey Geneva, maybe, lacking a leader? It's a Swiss hallmark (10)	NEUTRALITY	Definition: It's a Swiss hallmark NEUTRAL(of a pale grey colour, as in "walls of a neutral shade") + "city"(an example of which/maybe is Geneva, Switzerland) minus its 1st letter(lacking a leader). Defn: …, one of not taking sides in a conflict.
Stadium lacking in new locality (4)	AREA	Definition: locality "arena"(a stadium/a place where contests are held) minus(lacking in) "n"(a."new").
Stop at an early stage trouble behind input (3,2,3,3)	NIP IN THE BUD	Definition: Stop at an early stage Anagram of(trouble) BEHIND INPUT.
Suggestion to conceal display device (5,6)	TOUCH SCREEN	Definition: display device TOUCH(a suggestion/a hint of as in "a touch of meanness in his actions") + SCREEN(to conceal/to hide something behind something else).
Liberal Scottish musician provides attraction (4)	LURE	Definition: attraction L(abbrev. for a member of the Liberal Party) + URE(Midge, a phonetic reversal of Jim, Scottish musician).
Knowledgeable solicitor, say, on a roll finally with a great score in golf (5,5)	LEGAL EAGLE	Definition: Knowledgeable solicitor, say LEG(in cricket, the on side/that half of the field facing away from the batsman's feet when standing to receive the ball) plus(on) A + last letter of(… finally) "roll" plus(with) EAGLE(in golf, a score at a hole that is 2 strokes below par, considered a great/impressive achievement). Defn: What you might call/say, a smart/knowledgeable solicitor.
Ban dire criminal entering international court (9)	INTERDICT	Definition: Ban Anagram of(… criminal) DIRE contained in(entering) [ INT(abbrev. for "international") + CT(abbrev. for "court") ].
This writer's mature portrayal (5)	IMAGE	Definition: portrayal I'M("I am/this writer is", with the writer using the self-referential pronoun) + AGE(to mature/get older).
Bread in store for later needs? (4,3)	NEST EGG	Definition: Bread in store for later needs Cryptic defn: "bread" as a slang for money.
Conservator has short form essentially about introduction to antiquities (7)	CURATOR	Definition: Conservator [ CURT(short/terse in speech) + middle 2 letters of(… essentially) "form" ] containing(about) 1st letter of(introduction to) "antiquities".
Revolutionary is leading element close to workers' protests (3-3)	SIT-INS	Definition: protests Reversal of(Revolutionary) IS placed above(leading, in a down clue) TIN(a chemical element) + last letter of(close to) "workers'".
Fighter breaking a rule badly gets long reprimand (6)	EARFUL	Definition: long reprimand F(abbrev. for "fighter", as used in the designations of fighter planes) contained in(breaking) anagram of(… badly) A RULE. A good clue surface.
Scientific site over year favoured this when shorn of international networks (10)	LABYRINTHS	Definition: networks LAB(short for "laboratory", a scientific site) placed above(over, in a down clue) YR(abbrev. for "year") + IN(favoured/popular, as in "the in thing") + "this" minus(when shorn of) "i"(abbrev. for "international").
Sweltering Celt taking off jacket in tourist accommodation (5)	HOTEL	Definition: tourist accommodation HOT(sweltering/uncomfortably humid) + "Celt" minus its 1st and last letters(taking off jacket).
Ambassador with attitude about India is dithering (9)	HESITANCE	Definition: dithering HE(abbrev. for "His/Her Excellency", term of address for an ambassador) plus(with) STANCE(an attitude/a position taken, literally or figuratively) containing(about) I(abbrev. for "India").
See paper in elevated room (4)	LOFT	Definition: elevated room LO(see, as in "lo and behold") + FT(abbrev. for the daily newspaper, the Financial Times).
Drive shown by old boy in Hertfordshire town producing theatrical costumes (8)	WARDROBE	Definition: theatrical costumes [ DR(abbrev. for "Drive", as in home addresses) plus(shown by) OB(abbrev. for "old boy", formerly from a school or university) ] contained in(in) WARE(a town in Hertfordshire, England).
Old comic afterwards trimmed and in fine fettle (3,5)	THE DANDY	Definition: Old comic "then"(afterwards/later in time) minus its last letter(trimmed) plus(and) DANDY(in fine fettle/perfect).
Suspect cleaner hid hanging feature? (10)	CHANDELIER	Definition: hanging feature Anagram of(Suspect) CLEANER HID.
Activity of those out to deter others? (9)	PICKETING	Definition: Activity of those out to deter others Cryptic defn: Reference to workers on strike/out detering others who are not on strike from working.
Obstruct one riding horse (8)	STALLION	Definition: horse STALL(to obstruct/to stop progress being made) + I(Roman numeral for "one") + ON(riding/travelling in, as in "on the bus").
Problem in turn with tiros cooking Mexican food (8)	BURRITOS	Definition: Mexican food Reversal of(… in turn) RUB(a problem/a hitch) plus(with) anagram of(… cooking) TIROS.
Appalled by Henry, when getting into a sports car (6)	AGHAST	Definition: Appalled [ H(symbol for the henry, a unit of electrical inductance) + AS(when/at the time that something happens, as in "as you enter …") ] contained in(getting into) [A + GT(abbrev. for "gran turismo", a high-performance sports car) ].
Decorative covering never altered around front of exhibits (6)	VENEER	Definition: Decorative covering Anagram of(… altered) NEVER containing(around) 1st letter of(front of) "exhibits".
Prank by one opposing Conservative (5)	ANTIC	Definition: Prank ANTI(one opposing/an opponent of a particular policy, activity or idea) + C(abbrev. for a member of the Conservative Party).
Some superior feed for pond fish (4)	ORFE	Definition: pond fish Hidden in(Some) "superior feed".
Leading members in favour of rest, we're told (8)	FOREPAWS	Definition: Leading members Homophone of(…, we're told) [ "for"(in favour of, as opposed to "against") + "pause"(to rest/to stop an activity, perhaps to resume later on) ]. Defn: …/limbs of four-legged animals.
Put on stone in one's declining years (6)	STAGED	Definition: Put on ST(abbrev. for "stone", a unit of weight in the Imperial System of units) + AGED(in one's declining years, towards the end). Defn: … the theatre stage, say.
Occupants of flat in a tenement of classical style (8)	LATINATE	Definition: of classical style Hidden in(Occupants of) "flat in a tenement". Defn: Descriptive of writing, vocabulary, etc. derived from Latin.
Tory squeezing social worker creates political division (6)	CANTON	Definition: political division CON(a Tory/a member of the Conservative Party) containing(squeezing) ANT(a social animal, one of whose castes is the worker). Defn: … of a country.
Scotsman's following motor route to reach mountains (11)	CARPATHIANS	Definition: mountains IAN(a name for a Scotsman) 'S placed after(following) [ CAR(a motor/a motorised vehicle) + PATH(a route/a course that one travels on) ]. Defn: …/a mountain range in Central Europe.
Collect Charlie carrying Matilda's case (5)	AMASS	Definition: Collect ASS(a Charlie/an idiot) containing(carrying) 1st and last letters of(…'s case) "Matilda".
Tale from a bishop in local (9)	NARRATIVE	Definition: Tale [ A + RR(abbrev. for "Right Reverend", a form of address for a bishop) ] contained in(in) NATIVE(local/home-grown).
Philistine needs hours in gaol to fight a criminal (7,2,4)	GOLIATH OF GATH	Definition: Philistine H(abbrev. for "hours") contained in(in) anagram of(… criminal) GAOL TO FIGHT A. Defn: … famously slain by David in the Bible.
Opposing sides hosting Arsenal initially pass very slowly (5)	LARGO	Definition: very slowly L,R(a., respectively, "left" and "right"/opposing sides) containing(hosting) 1st letter of(… initially) "Arsenal" + GO(to pass/to elapse, as in "As Time Goes By") Defn: …, as a direction to a musician regarding the played music's tempo.
Singer from Cape enthralled by Beatle's playing (4,7)	PAUL ROBESON	Definition: Singer ROBE(a cloak, an sleeveless example of which is the cape) contained in(enthralled by) PAUL(McCartney, one of the Beatles)'S + ON(playing/performing, as in "who's on?").
Bound and beaten (6)	LASHED	Definition: Bound,beaten Double defn: 1st: …/tied with a cord or rope; and 2nd: …/flogged with a whip or rope.
Supervises the issue recently produced (8)	BABYSITS	Definition: Supervises the issue recently produced Cryptic defn: The issue recently produced being a baby.
Lines written in blank diary inclined to drop off (6)	DROWSY	Definition: inclined to drop off ROWS(numbers of people or things in lines) contained in(written in) all inner letters deleted from(blank) "diary". Defn: … into sleep.
Commercial book awards (8)	ADJUDGES	Definition: awards AD(short for "advertisement", a commercial/promotional material) + JUDGES(a book in the Old Testament of the Bible). Defn: In law, what a judge does, ie. awards damages, say.
Remedy for depleted battery with no reduction in price (4,6)	FULL CHARGE	Definition: Remedy for depleted battery,no reduction in price Double defn.
The Spanish raillery about game to be taken back? Precisely (10)	RETURNABLE	Definition: to be taken back? Precisely Reversal of(… to be taken back) [ EL(Spanish for the article "the") + BANTER(raillery/an exchange of teasing remarks) containing(about) RU(abbrev. for "Rugby Union", a form of rugby) ]. Defn: Precisely/as mentioned (thus indicating the double duty served by), "to be taken back".
Father bears also threatened beast (5)	PANDA	Definition: threatened beast PA(familiar term for one's father) containing(bears) "AND"(also/in addition). Defn: A species that is threatened but not endangered.
Enchanting time with my family's interrupted by Dynasty (8,4)	WITCHING HOUR	Definition: Enchanting time [ WITH + OUR(my family's with the writer using the plural first person possessive pronoun) ] containing(interrupted by) CHING(or Qing, an imperial dynasty of China).
Naval star running historic part of southern Africa (9)	TRANSVAAL	Definition: historic part of southern Africa Anagram of(… running) NAVAL STAR.
Puts on robes for academics (4)	DONS	Definition: Puts on robes,academics Double defn: 1st: …, or other garments; and 2nd: … in a university.
Boris's wife, we hear, presuming to move to next position (5,7)	CARRY FORWARD	Definition: move to next position Homophone of(…, we hear) "Carrie"(wife of Boris Johnson) + FORWARD(presuming/with a bold or overfamiliar manner).
Clothing worn by mounted soldier going astray (10)	DIGRESSING	Definition: going astray DRESSING(clothing/a particular outfit) containing(worn by) reversal of(mounted, in a down clue) GI(an American soldier).
Spots onset of growth during complex recession (10)	RECOGNISES	Definition: Spots 1st letter of(onset of) "growth" contained in(during) anagram of(complex) RECESSION.
Cunning, a desirable quality in pictures but not music (9)	SHARPNESS	Definition: Cunning The degree of focus or definition in pictures taken with, say, a camera; or the degree of harshness on the ears in music. Defn: …/shrewdness.
Solver pursuing Boatman up marshy creek (5)	BAYOU	Definition: marshy creek YOU(as the setter calls the solver, using the second-person pronoun) placed below(pursuing, in a down clue) reversal of(… up, in a down clue) AB(abbrev. for for "able bodied seaman"/a boatman/one working on a boat).
Tramp pocketing pound, in case (4)	PLOD	Definition: Tramp L(or £, symbol for pound sterling) contained in(in) POD(a case/a shell). I was thrown off by the positioning in the clue of "pocketing", usually a containment indicator,.

Go to special sweetheart at last? (5)

TRYST

Definition: Go to special sweetheart TRY(a go/an attempt at) + S(abbrev. for "special") + **last letter of**(… at last) "sweetheart". Defn: …/have a private and romantic date with one's lover.

Image brides hold in their hearts? (4)

IDOL

Definition: Image ** Middle 2 letters, respectively, of**(… in their hearts) "brides hold". Defn: …/representation of a god as an object of worship.

Sight defect produced by excessive work starts to impair academic (9)

HYPEROPIA

Definition: Sight defect HYPER-(prefix indicating "excessive"/above normal) + OP(abbrev. for "opus", a musical or literary piece of work) + **1st letters, respectively, of**(starts to) "impair academic". Defn: …, specifically, farsightedness.

Prepare to swindle officer cadet on vacation (7)

CONCOCT

Definition: Prepare CON(to swindle/trick) + CO(abbrev. for "Commanding Office") + "cadet" **minus its inner letters**(on vacation). Defn: …/make by combining different ingredients, as with a cocktail, say.

Man interrupting singer after Tosca's entrance gets tongue-lashing (7-2)

TALKING-TO

Definition: tongue-lashing [ KING(man/a piece in chess) **contained in**(interrupting) ALTO(a person with the highest adult male singing voice, or with the lowest female singing voice) ] **placed below**(after, in a down clue) **1st letter of**(…'s entrance) "Tosca".

Scrooge's take on weather in Islamic state? (7)

BAHRAIN

Definition: Islamic state BAH!(an expression of disgust, as in "Bah! Humbug!", Ebenezer Scrooge's take on Christmas) + RAIN(wet weather).

Plants depicted by fine artists (5)

OKRAS

Definition: Plants OK("okay"/fine) + RA(abbrev. for a member of the Royal Academy of Arts, an artist)S . … aka ladies fingers.

This sort of channel could create a riot (4- 2-3)

FREE-TO-AIR

Definition: This sort of channel Reverse clue: **Anagram of**(**FREE**) **TO-AIR ****gives**(could create) "a riot". Defn: … on TV.

Players must support director that's to shape The Crucible's lead (3-4)

DIE-CAST

Definition: to shape The Crucible's lead CAST(group of plays acting in a play or film) **placed below**(must support, in a down clue) [ D(abbrev. for "director") + IE(abbrev. for "id est"/that is/that's) ]. Defn: To shape a quantity of molten lead, the metal, by pouring it into a mould, after it has been melted in a crucible/a ceramic or metallic pot able to withstand high temperature.

Eminent judge goes into decline after losing face for rowdy behaviour (4,5)

HIGH JINKS

Definition: rowdy behaviour HIGH(eminent/top-level) + J(abbrev. for "Judge") + "sinks"(goes into decline/drops downwards) **minus** **its 1st letter**(after losing face).

Leading theatre school not right to withdraw course for West Indians (6,3)

PEPPER POT

Definition: course for West Indians **Reversal of**(… to withdraw) [ TOP(leading/first) + REP(short for "repertory"/theatre, the collective noun for plays, operas or ballets) + "prep"(short for "prep/preparatory school", a private school for children up to about 13 years old) **minus**(not) "r"(abbrev. for "right") ]. Defn: A dish served in various Caribbean islands/West Indies.

Doubtful about wearing infected animal's skin (9)

SCEPTICAL

Definition: Doubtful C(abbrev. for "circa", about when referring to specific years) **contained in**(wearing) SEPTIC(infected/festering with micro-organisms) + **1st and last letters of**(…'s skin) "animal".

Trickled through dehydrated casing very softly (7)

DRIPPED

Definition: Trickled through DRIED(dehydrated/having had the water removed, as with preserved food) **containing**(casing) PP(abbrev. for "pianissimo", musical direct to play very softly).

Not completely? For Americans, though, being ahead would make it so (7)

ROUGHLY

Definition: Not completely Reverse clue: **ROUGHLY ****placed after**(…, being ahead) "tho"(For Americans, though) **gives**(would make it) "thoroughly"(so/in this instance "completely").

Advertised piece of cobalt rail edging (7)

TRAILED

Definition: Advertised **Hidden in**(piece of) "cobalt rail edging". Defn: …/gave advance publicity to, say, a film.

Swimmer needs time to cover most of course (5)

TROUT

Definition: Swimmer T(abbrev. for "time") **placed above**(to cover, in a down clue) "route""(a course/a path that is followed) **minus ****its last letter**(most of …).

Everyone is wearing blue around American city (6)

DALLAS

Definition: American city ALL(everyone) **contained in **(is wearing) **reversal of**(… around) SAD(blue/feeling down).

Enterprise possibly shown by trendy celebrities previously (8)

STARSHIP

Definition: Enterprise possibly HIP(trendy/cool) **placed after**(… previously) STARS(celebrities/famous people). Defn: Possibly/could be refering to the USS Enterprise, a fictional spacecraft in the Star Trek TV and film series. The first in the line of NCC-1701s:

Pollute river that will carry scum miles away (6)

DEFILE

Definition: Pollute DEE(a river in the British Isles – more than one with the same name) **containing**(that will carry) "film"(a thin layer over a surface, in this case of dirt or froth on a liquid/scum) **minus**(… away) "m"(abbrev. for "miles").

Kidnapper is muscular type (8)

ABDUCTOR

Definition: Kidnapper,muscular type Double defn: 1st: One who takes someone away by force or deception; and 2nd: A type of muscle that draws a limb away from the central line of the body.

Place to go surfing and then have lunch? (9)

CYBERCAFE

Definition: Place to go surfing and then have lunch Cryptic defn: A commercial establishment where access to the Internet is available for you to surf, on your computer or ones provided there, and to have food and drinks.

Money in stupidity female's withdrawn for student (5)

LOLLY

Definition: Money "folly"(stupidity/foolishness) **with** "f"(abbrev. for "female") **replaced by**(…'s withdrawn for) "l"(letter displayed by a learner driver). Defn: Informal term for ….

Almost entitle Chinese to run country? (13)

LIECHTENSTEIN

Definition: country **Anagram of**(… to run) [ "entitle" **minus ****its last letter**(Almost …) + CHINESE].

Engineer said soft mortar between bricks is inadequate (13)

DISAPPOINTING

Definition: inadequate **Anagram of**(Engineer) SAID + P(abbrev. for "piano", a musical direction to play softly) + POINTING(the mortar used to fill the joints between bricks in brickwork).

Old man sacked by competent guy? (5)

CABLE

Definition: guy "pa"(like "old man", an informal term for one's father) **deleted from**(sacked by) "capable"(competent/having the ability to do something successfully). Defn: …/a rope or line fixed to the ground to secure a tent or other structure.

Rudeness from oddball seen with Colin (9)

INSOLENCE

Definition: Rudeness **Anagram of**(oddball) [SEEN **plus**(with) COLIN].

Source of protein to feed country creature (8)

TERRAPIN

Definition: creature **1st letter of**(Source of) "protein" **contained in**(to feed) TERRAIN(country/a stretch of land and its physical features). These have red ears:

Elderly drinking wine endlessly? It's okay (6)

AGREED

Definition: okay AGED(elderly/old) **containing**(drinking) "red"(short for "red wine") **minus ****its last letter**(endlessly).

Move from Hell? (8)

DISPLACE

Definition: Move from [DIS(the Roman god of the underworld) PLACE(where one resides/home)](Hell).

Meaty waffles hypermarket stocks (6)

FLESHY

Definition: Meaty **Hidden in**(… stocks) "waffles hypermarket".

Gather moderate Democrat will oust Republican (6)

DEDUCE

Definition: Gather "reduce"(to moderate/to make smaller in degree or size, away from an extreme) with "D"(abbrev. for a member of the Democratic Party) **replacing**(will oust) "R"(abbrev. for a member of the Republican Party). Defn: …/to conclude.

They could help rescue career hit hard by recession essentially (4,5)

LIFE BELTS

Definition: They could help rescue LIFE(one's way of life, in this case, one's occupation or profession) + BELT(to hit with heavy blows) + **middle letter of**(… essentially) "recession".

In general worried about US city risking being evacuated (2,5)

AT LARGE

Definition: In general ATE(worried/bothered) **containing**(about) [ LA(abbrev. for "Los Angeles", US city) + "risking" **minus its inner letters**(being evacuated) ].

Number wrong to be upset following board game (5,6)

TABLE TENNIS

Definition: game [ TEN(number 10) + **reversal of**(… to be upset, in a down clue) SIN(a wrong/an offence) ] **placed after**(following) TABLE(board/the food that is provided). Remember ping-pong diplomacy?:

Problems heading off getting ready for Moscow trip? (7)

ROUBLES

Definition: ready for Moscow trip "troubles"(problems/difficulties) **minus ****its 1st letter**(heading off). Defn: Ready/money to be used in Moscow, Russia.

Holidaymakers' initial destination perhaps in Lesotho not so awful? (5)

HOTEL

Definition: Holidaymakers' initial destination perhaps **Anagram of**(… awful) [ "Lesotho" **minus**(not) "so" ]. Defn: …. Also word representing the **1st letter of**(… initial) "Holidaymakers" in the phonetic alphabet.

Having fun at celebration, saying goodbye hugging unknown character (8)

PARTYING

Definition: Having fun at celebration PARTING(goodbye/act of leaving) **containing**(hugging) Y(symbol/character for an unknown quantity in maths.).

Erotic chap dancing round pole, Tim's rival occasionally (11)

APHRODISIAC

Definition: Erotic **Anagram of**(… dancing) CHAP **containing**(round) [ ROD(a pole/a staff) + **2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th letters of**(… occasionally) "Tim's rival" ].

Provokes female perhaps to divide English and Poles (9)

ENGENDERS

Definition: Provokes GENDER(an example/perhaps of which in grammar is "female") **contained in**(to divide) [ E(abbrev. for "English") + N,S(abbrev. for "North" and "South" Poles, respectively) ].

Dead cute criminal is well-read (8)

EDUCATED

Definition: well-read **Anagram of**(cute criminal) DEAD CUTE.

Heard maybe description of nun's childhood to be accepted (7)

PREVAIL

Definition: accepted **Homophone of**(Heard maybe) "pre-veil"(a whimsical description of the childhood of one before/pre becoming a nun/taking the veil). Defn: …/be predominant.

Crooked European visits sick former prisoner in retirement (7)

ILLEGAL

Definition: Crooked E(abbrev. for "European") **placed after**(visits) ILL(sick/unwell) + **reversal of**(… in retirement) LAG(a former prisoner/an ex-convict).

Prime US prosecutor occupies two years going after ambassador (6)

HEYDAY

Definition: Prime [ DA(abbrev. for "District Attorney", public prosecutor in the US) **contained in**(occupies) Y,Y(2 x abbrev. "year") ] **placed below**(going after, in a down clue) HE(abbrev. for "His/Her Excellency", form of address for an ambassador). Defn: …/period of someone's or something's greatest success/at one's peak.

Poet feels terribly hot (5)

BURNS

Definition: Poet,feels terribly hot Double defn: 1st: Robert, Scottish poet.

The last to get a shift shows furtive manner (7)

STEALTH

Definition: furtive manner **Anagram of**(… to get a shift) THE LAST.

Idiot has to stop detaining fine all-female group (7)

HALFWIT

Definition: Idiot HALT(to stop moving or doing) **containing**(detaining) [ F(abbrev. for "fine") + WI(abbrev. for the Women's Institute, an all-female group/community organisation) ].

Pulse starts to trouble husband resting on bed (5)

THROB

Definition: Pulse **1st letters, respectively, of**(starts to) "trouble husband resting on bed".

Stock fare prepared for working party (4,5)

TASK FORCE

Definition: working party **Anagram of**(… prepared) STOCK FARE.

Grey Geneva, maybe, lacking a leader? It's a Swiss hallmark (10)

NEUTRALITY

Definition: It's a Swiss hallmark NEUTRAL(of a pale grey colour, as in "walls of a neutral shade") + "city"(an example of which/maybe is Geneva, Switzerland) **minus ****its 1st letter**(lacking a leader). Defn: …, one of not taking sides in a conflict.

Stadium lacking in new locality (4)

AREA

Definition: locality "arena"(a stadium/a place where contests are held) **minus**(lacking in) "n"(a."new").

Stop at an early stage trouble behind input (3,2,3,3)

NIP IN THE BUD

Definition: Stop at an early stage **Anagram of**(trouble) BEHIND INPUT.

Suggestion to conceal display device (5,6)

TOUCH SCREEN

Definition: display device TOUCH(a suggestion/a hint of as in "a touch of meanness in his actions") + SCREEN(to conceal/to hide something behind something else).

Liberal Scottish musician provides attraction (4)

LURE

Definition: attraction L(abbrev. for a member of the Liberal Party) + URE(Midge, a phonetic reversal of Jim, Scottish musician).

Knowledgeable solicitor, say, on a roll finally with a great score in golf (5,5)

LEGAL EAGLE

Definition: Knowledgeable solicitor, say LEG(in cricket, the on side/that half of the field facing away from the batsman's feet when standing to receive the ball) **plus**(on) A + **last letter of**(… finally) "roll" **plus**(with) EAGLE(in golf, a score at a hole that is 2 strokes below par, considered a great/impressive achievement). Defn: What you might call/say, a smart/knowledgeable solicitor.

Ban dire criminal entering international court (9)

INTERDICT

Definition: Ban **Anagram of**(… criminal) DIRE **contained in**(entering) [ INT(abbrev. for "international") + CT(abbrev. for "court") ].

This writer's mature portrayal (5)

IMAGE

Definition: portrayal I'M("I am/this writer is", with the writer using the self-referential pronoun) + AGE(to mature/get older).

Bread in store for later needs? (4,3)

NEST EGG

Definition: Bread in store for later needs Cryptic defn: "bread" as a slang for money.

Conservator has short form essentially about introduction to antiquities (7)

CURATOR

Definition: Conservator [ CURT(short/terse in speech) + **middle 2 letters of**(… essentially) "form" ] **containing**(about) **1st letter of**(introduction to) "antiquities".

Revolutionary is leading element close to workers' protests (3-3)

SIT-INS

Definition: protests **Reversal of**(Revolutionary) IS **placed above**(leading, in a down clue) TIN(a chemical element) + **last letter of**(close to) "workers'".

Fighter breaking a rule badly gets long reprimand (6)

EARFUL

Definition: long reprimand F(abbrev. for "fighter", as used in the designations of fighter planes) **contained in**(breaking) **anagram of**(… badly) A RULE. A good clue surface.

Scientific site over year favoured this when shorn of international networks (10)

LABYRINTHS

Definition: networks LAB(short for "laboratory", a scientific site) **placed above**(over, in a down clue) YR(abbrev. for "year") + IN(favoured/popular, as in "the in thing") + "this" **minus**(when shorn of) "i"(abbrev. for "international").

Sweltering Celt taking off jacket in tourist accommodation (5)

HOTEL

Definition: tourist accommodation HOT(sweltering/uncomfortably humid) + "Celt" **minus its 1st and last letters**(taking off jacket).

Ambassador with attitude about India is dithering (9)

HESITANCE

Definition: dithering HE(abbrev. for "His/Her Excellency", term of address for an ambassador) **plus**(with) STANCE(an attitude/a position taken, literally or figuratively) **containing**(about) I(abbrev. for "India").

See paper in elevated room (4)

LOFT

Definition: elevated room LO(see, as in "lo and behold") + FT(abbrev. for the daily newspaper, the Financial Times).

Drive shown by old boy in Hertfordshire town producing theatrical costumes (8)

WARDROBE

Definition: theatrical costumes [ DR(abbrev. for "Drive", as in home addresses) **plus**(shown by) OB(abbrev. for "old boy", formerly from a school or university) ] **contained in**(in) WARE(a town in Hertfordshire, England).

Old comic afterwards trimmed and in fine fettle (3,5)

THE DANDY

Definition: Old comic "then"(afterwards/later in time) **minus ****its last letter**(trimmed) **plus**(and) DANDY(in fine fettle/perfect).

Suspect cleaner hid hanging feature? (10)

CHANDELIER

Definition: hanging feature **Anagram of**(Suspect) CLEANER HID.

Activity of those out to deter others? (9)

PICKETING

Definition: Activity of those out to deter others Cryptic defn: Reference to workers on strike/out detering others who are not on strike from working.

Obstruct one riding horse (8)

STALLION

Definition: horse STALL(to obstruct/to stop progress being made) + I(Roman numeral for "one") + ON(riding/travelling in, as in "on the bus").

Problem in turn with tiros cooking Mexican food (8)

BURRITOS

Definition: Mexican food **Reversal of**(… in turn) RUB(a problem/a hitch) **plus**(with) **anagram of**(… cooking) TIROS.

Appalled by Henry, when getting into a sports car (6)

AGHAST

Definition: Appalled [ H(symbol for the henry, a unit of electrical inductance) + AS(when/at the time that something happens, as in "as you enter …") ] **contained in**(getting into) [A + GT(abbrev. for "gran turismo", a high-performance sports car) ].

Decorative covering never altered around front of exhibits (6)

VENEER

Definition: Decorative covering **Anagram of**(… altered) NEVER **containing**(around) **1st letter of**(front of) "exhibits".

Prank by one opposing Conservative (5)

ANTIC

Definition: Prank ANTI(one opposing/an opponent of a particular policy, activity or idea) + C(abbrev. for a member of the Conservative Party).

Some superior feed for pond fish (4)

ORFE

Definition: pond fish **Hidden in**(Some) "superior feed".

Leading members in favour of rest, we're told (8)

FOREPAWS

Definition: Leading members **Homophone of**(…, we're told) [ "for"(in favour of, as opposed to "against") + "pause"(to rest/to stop an activity, perhaps to resume later on) ]. Defn: …/limbs of four-legged animals.

Put on stone in one's declining years (6)

STAGED

Definition: Put on ST(abbrev. for "stone", a unit of weight in the Imperial System of units) + AGED(in one's declining years, towards the end). Defn: … the theatre stage, say.

Occupants of flat in a tenement of classical style (8)

LATINATE

Definition: of classical style **Hidden in**(Occupants of) "flat in a tenement". Defn: Descriptive of writing, vocabulary, etc. derived from Latin.

Tory squeezing social worker creates political division (6)

CANTON

Definition: political division CON(a Tory/a member of the Conservative Party) **containing**(squeezing) ANT(a social animal, one of whose castes is the worker). Defn: … of a country.

Scotsman's following motor route to reach mountains (11)

CARPATHIANS

Definition: mountains IAN(a name for a Scotsman) 'S **placed after**(following) [ CAR(a motor/a motorised vehicle) + PATH(a route/a course that one travels on) ]. Defn: …/a mountain range in Central Europe.

Collect Charlie carrying Matilda's case (5)

AMASS

Definition: Collect ASS(a Charlie/an idiot) **containing**(carrying) **1st and last letters of**(…'s case) "Matilda".

Tale from a bishop in local (9)

NARRATIVE

Definition: Tale [ A + RR(abbrev. for "Right Reverend", a form of address for a bishop) ] **contained in**(in) NATIVE(local/home-grown).

Philistine needs hours in gaol to fight a criminal (7,2,4)

GOLIATH OF GATH

Definition: Philistine H(abbrev. for "hours") **contained in**(in) **anagram of**(… criminal) GAOL TO FIGHT A. Defn: … famously slain by David in the Bible.

Opposing sides hosting Arsenal initially pass very slowly (5)

LARGO

Definition: very slowly L,R(a., respectively, "left" and "right"/opposing sides) **containing**(hosting) **1st letter of**(… initially) "Arsenal" + GO(to pass/to elapse, as in "As Time Goes By") Defn: …, as a direction to a musician regarding the played music's tempo.

Singer from Cape enthralled by Beatle's playing (4,7)

PAUL ROBESON

Definition: Singer ROBE(a cloak, an sleeveless example of which is the cape) **contained in**(enthralled by) PAUL(McCartney, one of the Beatles)'S + ON(playing/performing, as in "who's on?").

Bound and beaten (6)

LASHED

Definition: Bound,beaten Double defn: 1st: …/tied with a cord or rope; and 2nd: …/flogged with a whip or rope.

Supervises the issue recently produced (8)

BABYSITS

Definition: Supervises the issue recently produced Cryptic defn: The issue recently produced being a baby.

Lines written in blank diary inclined to drop off (6)

DROWSY

Definition: inclined to drop off ROWS(numbers of people or things in lines) **contained in**(written in) ** all inner letters deleted from**(blank) "diary". Defn: … into sleep.

Commercial book awards (8)

ADJUDGES

Definition: awards AD(short for "advertisement", a commercial/promotional material) + JUDGES(a book in the Old Testament of the Bible). Defn: In law, what a judge does, ie. awards damages, say.

Remedy for depleted battery with no reduction in price (4,6)

FULL CHARGE

Definition: Remedy for depleted battery,no reduction in price Double defn.

The Spanish raillery about game to be taken back? Precisely (10)

RETURNABLE

Definition: to be taken back? Precisely **Reversal of**(… to be taken back) [ EL(Spanish for the article "the") + BANTER(raillery/an exchange of teasing remarks) **containing**(about) RU(abbrev. for "Rugby Union", a form of rugby) ]. Defn: Precisely/as mentioned (thus indicating the double duty served by), "to be taken back".

Father bears also threatened beast (5)

PANDA

Definition: threatened beast PA(familiar term for one's father) **containing**(bears) "AND"(also/in addition). Defn: A species that is threatened but not endangered.

Enchanting time with my family's interrupted by Dynasty (8,4)

WITCHING HOUR

Definition: Enchanting time [ WITH + OUR(my family's with the writer using the plural first person possessive pronoun) ] **containing**(interrupted by) CHING(or Qing, an imperial dynasty of China).

Naval star running historic part of southern Africa (9)

TRANSVAAL

Definition: historic part of southern Africa **Anagram of**(… running) NAVAL STAR.

Puts on robes for academics (4)

DONS

Definition: Puts on robes,academics Double defn: 1st: …, or other garments; and 2nd: … in a university.

Boris's wife, we hear, presuming to move to next position (5,7)

CARRY FORWARD

Definition: move to next position **Homophone of**(…, we hear) "Carrie"(wife of Boris Johnson) + FORWARD(presuming/with a bold or overfamiliar manner).

Clothing worn by mounted soldier going astray (10)

DIGRESSING

Definition: going astray DRESSING(clothing/a particular outfit) **containing**(worn by) **reversal of**(mounted, in a down clue) GI(an American soldier).

Spots onset of growth during complex recession (10)

RECOGNISES

Definition: Spots **1st letter of**(onset of) "growth" **contained in**(during) **anagram of**(complex) RECESSION.

Cunning, a desirable quality in pictures but not music (9)

SHARPNESS

Definition: Cunning The degree of focus or definition in pictures taken with, say, a camera; or the degree of harshness on the ears in music. Defn: …/shrewdness.

Solver pursuing Boatman up marshy creek (5)

BAYOU

Definition: marshy creek YOU(as the setter calls the solver, using the second-person pronoun) **placed below**(pursuing, in a down clue) **reversal of**(… up, in a down clue) AB(abbrev. for for "able bodied seaman"/a boatman/one working on a boat).

Tramp pocketing pound, in case (4)

PLOD

Definition: Tramp L(or £, symbol for pound sterling) **contained in**(in) POD(a case/a shell). I was thrown off by the positioning in the clue of "pocketing", usually a containment indicator,.