0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Organ and a rodent's head eaten by cat (6)	LARYNX	Definition: Organ [A + 1st letter of(…'s head) "rodent" ] contained in(eaten by) LYNX(one of a species of wild cats). Defn: …, specifically your voice box.
Magnify fourth letter by writer (6)	DEEPEN	Definition: Magnify DEE("D", fourth letter in the alphabet) plus(by) PEN(a writer/a writing instrument). Defn: … in depth or intensity.
Manner in which to hold garden tool for trimming line of bushes (8)	HEDGEROW	Definition: line of bushes HOW(manner/the way of doing something) containing(in which to hold …) EDGER(a garden tool for trimming the edge of a lawn).
Direct official dismissing two characters at the end (5)	REFER	Definition: Direct "referee"(an official in a contest) minus its last 2 letters(dismissing two characters at the end). Defn: To …/bring someone's attention to something or somebody.
Small amounts of stuff consumed by rats (11)	SMATTERINGS	Definition: Small amounts MATTER(stuff/substance) contained in(consumed by) SINGS(rats/informs on, to the authorities, say).
Shrub from area in middle of bed to pull up (8)	GARDENIA	Definition: Shrub Reversal of(… up, in a down clue) [ A(abbrev. for "area") + IN + middle letter of(middle of) "bed" + DRAG(to pull along/haul) ].
Biblical tale roughly lad did endless havoc with giant (5,3,7)	DAVID AND GOLIATH	Definition: Biblical tale Anagram of(roughly) [LAD DID + "havoc" minus its last letter(endless …) plus(with) GIANT]. An apt surface for the definition.
Withdrawal of soldiers on exercises, all cut short (6)	REPEAL	Definition: Withdrawal RE(abbrev. for the Royal Engineers, soldiers in the British Army) placed above(on, in a down clue) PE(abbrev. for "physical education", instruction in physical exercise) + "all" minus its last letter(cut short). Defn: A formal …/a revocation of, say, a law.
Height of clipped shot (3)	TOR	Definition: Height Last letter deleted from(clipped) "tore"(shot/moved suddenly and rapidly).
Craft ales in set required (9)	ESSENTIAL	Definition: required Anagram of(Craft) ALES IN SET.
Wrongly understand disadvantages in fog on French road (11)	MISCONSTRUE	Definition: Wrongly understand CONS(disadvantages/that which serve as arguments against, say, doing something) contained in(in) MIST(a fog/a cloud of tiny droplets or particles suspended in air) placed above(on, in a down clue) RUE(French for "road").
Arch villain very old getting topped (9)	CURVATURE	Definition: Arch CUR(a villain/a rogue) + V(abbrev. for "very") + "mature"(old/aged) minus its 1st letter(getting topped).
Fought with editor after others left (8)	WRESTLED	Definition: Fought W(abbrev. for "with") + { ED(abbrev. for "editor") placed below(after, in a down clue) [ REST(the others/the remaining ones) + L(abbrev. for "left") ] }.
Test horse going round track before start of race (3,3)	DRY RUN	Definition: Test DUN(a horse with a particular colouring) containing(going round) [ RY(abbrev. for "railway", which runs on tracks/rails) placed above(before, in a down clue) 1st letter of(start of) "race" ]. Defn: …/a rehearsal.
Dance in tartan gown (5)	TANGO	Definition: Dance Hidden in(in) "tartan gown".
Break a doctor binds (3)	GAP	Definition: Break A contained in(… binds) GP(abbrev. for "general practitioner", a non-specialist doctor).
Day ending often in scandal, where sailors may be found (7)	FRIGATE	Definition: where sailors may be found FRI(abbrev. for "Friday") + -GATE(suffix/ending often used to signify a scandal, which usage started after the US Watergate scandal).
Measure to avoid disorder in South American diplomacy? (4,3)	RIOT ACT	Definition: Measure to avoid disorder RIO(de Janeiro, city in South America) as a qualifier to TACT(diplomacy/discretion).
Pose and sit in odd places? This shows I crave attention (4)	PSST	Definition: This shows I crave attention Respective 1st and 3rd letters of(in odd places) "Pose" plus(and) "sit". Defn: Exclamation to attract attention but surreptitiously.
Dull article in Paris Match about leaving Tours (10)	UNEXCITING	Definition: Dull UN(article in French grammar, as can be found in the magazine Paris Match) + [ C(abbrev. for "circa"/about/around the time of a particular year) contained in(… Tours/travels round) EXITING(leaving/getting out of) ].
Mostly try to score before Hearts in tie (6)	ATTACH	Definition: tie "attack"(to try to score in, say, a football match) minus its last letter(Mostly …) plus(before) H(abbrev. for "Hearts", the suit in a deck of playing cards)
Concerning muscle contractions, getting treated is costly (8)	SYSTOLIC	Definition: Concerning muscle contractions Anagram of(treated) IS COSTLY. Defn: … of the heart.
Loudly criticise pudding getting stick down under (9)	BOOMERANG	Definition: stick down under Homophone of(Loudly) [ "boo!"(exclamation to criticise/show disapproval) + "meringue"(a pudding/a dessert made from egg whites and sugar) ]. Defn: …, in Australia, that is.
Phase one neglected in prehistoric period (5)	STAGE	Definition: Phase "one" deleted from(neglected in) "Stone Age"(the prehistoric period when weapons and tools were made of stone or organic material).
Chic European wanting second husband (5)	SWISH	Definition: Chic "Swiss"(a national from Switzerland in Europe) minus(wanting) "s"(abbrev. for "second" in time notation) + H(abbrev. for "husband").
Coat reapplied with flair in building with eight columns (9)	OCTASTYLE	Definition: building with eight columns Anagram of(… reapplied) COAT plus(with) STYLE(flair/elegance).
Atmosphere in April, possibly a revolutionary month (8)	PRAIRIAL	Definition: a revolutionary month AIR(atmosphere where one breathes and lives in) contained in(in) anagram of(…, possibly) APRIL. Defn: … in the French Revolutionary calendar.
Policeman carries little British idiots across the pond (6)	DWEEBS	Definition: idiots across the pond DS(abbrev. for "Detective Sergeant", a policeman) containing(carries) [WEE(little/tiny) + B(abbrev. for "British") ]. Defn: …, that is, as they are called in the USA.
Unreal match, Spain getting hammered (10)	PHANTASMIC	Definition: Unreal Anagram of(… getting hammered) MATCH, SPAIN.
Singer's articles from Buenos Aires (4)	ELLA	Definition: Singer EL,LA(2 articles in Spanish grammar as spoken in Buenos Aires, Argentina). Answer: … Fitzgerald, jazz singer.
Perhaps one of those who backed Holly in game (7)	CRICKET	Definition: Perhaps one of those who backed Holly,game Double defn: 1st: …, that is, played with Buddy Holly, rock and roll singer.
Bar worker's rent cut by politician given latitude (7)	TEMPLAR	Definition: Bar worker TEAR(a rent/a rip) *contained in(cut by) [ MP(abbrev. for a Member of Parliament, an elected politician) plus*(given) L(abbrev. for "latitude") ]. Defn: Whimsically, …/a lawyer who has been called to the Bar and lives or has chambers in the Middle or Inner Temple in London.
Male German teacher needing return fare from Italy (7)	RISOTTO	Definition: fare from Italy Reversal of(… needing return) [ OTTO(a somewhat common male German name) + SIR(form of address for a male teacher) ]. Landmark 1:
German district capital is not quite New York (5)	GOTHA	Definition: German district capital "Gotham"(informal name for New York) minus its last letter(not quite …). Defn: Capital city of the German district of the same name. Landmark 2:
Jerk accepting old lady's more badass (7)	TOUGHER	Definition: more badass TUG(a jerk/a hard or sudden pull) containing(accepting) O(abbrev. for "old") + HER(third person feminine pronoun, say, for a lady). Defn: …/intimidating. Landmark 3:
Way of paying hotel led by former empire-builders (2,4)	IN CASH	Definition: Way of paying H(letter represented by "hotel", in the phonetic alphabet) placed below(led by, in a down clue) INCAS(former/long past empire builders in South America). Landmark 5:
Idiot favouring rubbish principle of The Avengers? (3,3,3)	TIT FOR TAT	Definition: principle of The Avengers TIT(an idiot/an ineffectual person) + FOR(favouring/seconding) TAT(rubbish/cheap and bad articles like clothing or jewellery). Defn: …, or "one bad turn deserves another". Landmark 6:
Hapless chap playing with words, not initially clever (7)	CUNNING	Definition: clever "chap" minus(…less) "Hap" + "punning"(playing with words/making a joke with the meanings of words) minus its 1st letter(not initially). Landmark 7: Then: … and now:
New and funny no less, opinion piece is a capital feature (among six others here) (7,6)	NELSON’S COLUMN	Definition: a capital feature (among six others here) N(abbrev. for "new") plus(and) anagram of(funny) NO LESS + COLUMN(a regular article/piece in a newspaper or magazine, giving the opinion of the writer on a particular subject). Defn: …, that is, features in the capital city of London, hidden in the completed crossword grid. Landmark 4:
Football star caught gathering in a shot, miraculously able to save (9)	MESSIANIC	Definition: miraculously able to save [ MESSI(Lionel, Argentinian footballer) + C(abbrev. for "caught" in cricket scores) ] containing(gathering) anagram of(… shot) IN A. Defn: Describing one who is …/a saviour.
Literary Romantic hero briefly used to be the king (7)	WERTHER	Definition: Literary Romantic hero "were"(used to be) minus its last letter(briefly …) + THE + R(abbrev. for "Rex"/the reigning king). Defn: Fictional hero in "The Sorrows of Young Werther", written by Goethe, and which influenced the Romantic movement.
Take boat for diving then land (8)	SUBTRACT	Definition: Take SUB(short for "submarine", a boat that dives under water) plus(then) TRACT(an area of land/territory). Defn: … (away from).
More expensive watch secretly returned for maintenance (6)	UPKEEP	Definition: maintenance UP(more expensive/describing an increase in price) + reversal of(… returned) PEEK(to watch secretly/furtively).
Shed unfashionable stockings worn by upper class (8)	OUTHOUSE	Definition: Shed OUT(unfashionable/out of fashion) + HOSE(collective word for stockings, socks and tights) containing(worn by) U(letter signifying things upper class). Place to go when modern plumbing isn't available:
Chat and a fag (6)	GASPER	Definition: fag GAS(talk about trivial matters/chat) plus(and) PER(a/for each, as in $1 per minute). Defn: …/slang for cigarette, for obvious reasons.
Pavarotti for one bought enormous trousers (5)	TENOR	Definition: Pavarotti for one Hidden in(… trousers/takes) "bought enormous". Defn: An example of which/for one, is Luciano Pavarotti. Here's Three of them:
Waterproof loose on our son that's taken back to shop (9)	NONPOROUS	Definition: Waterproof Anagram of(loose) ON OUR SON containing(that's taken) last letter of(back to) "shop".
American bangs me entering pub, initially taking offence (12)	INFRINGEMENT	Definition: offence [ FRINGE(front section of one's hair hanging over and cut straight across the forehead, refered to in North America as "bangs") + ME ]contained in(entering) INN(a pub/establishment serving drinks mainly) + 1st letter of(initially) "taking".
What e.g. 8 took from a child needing protection after school (7,5)	ACADEMY AWARD	Definition: What e.g. 8 took A + WARD(a child needing protection, under the care of a guardian) placed after(after) ACADEMY(a school/an educational institution). Defn: What a movie such as/e.g. "Parasite"(answer to 8 down) took/won.
Doctor can rub oil in both eyes (9)	BINOCULAR	Definition: in both eyes Anagram of(Doctor) CAN RUB OIL. Defn: For or ….
Small bottle of very acidic beer unfinished (5)	PHIAL	Definition: Small bottle PHI(pH1 with the Roman numeral substitution – in chemistry, the acidity or alkalinity of a solution is measured on the pH scale with pH1 being very acidic) + "ale"(a type of beer) minus its last letter(unfinished).
Touching a thousand fish repelled man unloading boat (6)	DOCKER	Definition: man unloading boat Reversal of(… repelled) [ RE(with reference to/touching on) + K(symbol for "a thousand" from the Greek "kilo") + COD(a large food fish) ]. What he was before he was the Don:
Old Indian spinner bats ten, following the order (8)	OBEDIENT	Definition: following the order O(abbrev. for "old") + BEDI(Bishan Singh, former Indian cricketer who was a spin bowler) + anagram of(bats) TEN. Defn: … or orders.
Stick jug by sink after emptying it (6)	SKEWER	Definition: Stick EWER(jug with a wide mouth) placed after(by) "sink" minus all its inner letters(after emptying it).
Logical engineers like 1D (8)	REASONED	Definition: Logical RE(abbrev. for the Royal Engineers) + AS(like/similar to, as used in similes) + ONE(the number 1) + D(abbrev. for "down").
Charming debate held in silence (6)	SMOOTH	Definition: Charming MOOT(a debate or discussion of a hypothetical case as an academic activity) contained in(held in) SH!(exclamation demanding silence). Defn: …/suave.
Scientific study every NATO battalion keeps up (6)	BOTANY	Definition: Scientific study Hidden in(… keeps) reversal of(… up, in a down clue) "every NATO battalion".
Current wanted for cultivation of arid region? (3,6)	RIO GRANDE	Definition: Current wanted for cultivation of arid region "i"(symbol for electric current in physics) deleted from(wanted for/found wanting in) anagram of(cultivation of) "arid region". Answer: …, a river in southwestern USA and northern Mexico that flows through arid and semi-arid land.
Blockbuster about Chinese locksmith with gold filling (6,6)	CASINO ROYALE	Definition: Blockbuster CA(abbrev. for "circa"/about/around the time of a particular year) + SINO-(prefix denoting something Chinese/related to China) YALE(Linus Jr., inventor of the pin tumbler lock and co-founder of the Yale Lock Manufacturing Company) containing(with … filling) OR(the colour gold in heraldry). Defn: … movie … take your pick:
One article chamber pot contains, something next to stool? (5)	PIANO	Definition: something next to stool [ I(Roman numeral for "one") + AN(article in grammar) ] contained in(… contains) PO(informal term for a chamber pot). Defn: …/that which is next to the stool the pianist sits on.
Former priest learning Dutch did survey (8)	EXPLORED	Definition: did survey EX-(prefix indicating former/once) + P(abbrev. for "priest") + LORE(body of knowledge held by a particular group of people, passed down from generation to generation) + D(abbrev. for "Dutch").
Soldier's the one chasing English sucker (8)	PARASITE	Definition: sucker PARA(short for "paratrooper", a soldier dropped by parachute into battle)'S *plus*(… chasing/going after) IT(pronoun for something previously mentioned/the one) + E(abbrev. for "English").
Impossible to get wife to stop drifting near bus lane (12)	UNANSWERABLE	Definition: Impossible to get W(abbrev. for "wife") contained in(to stop) anagram of(drifting) NEAR BUS LANE. Defn: …/unsolvable.
Brussels rent that is reduced for playwright (9)	EURIPIDES	Definition: playwright EU(to which Brussels, its de facto capital, has become synonymous) + RIP(a rent/tear) + "id est"(ie./that is) minus its last letter(reduced). Defn: … of Ancient Greece.
Island to rule out bachelor parties (8)	BARBADOS	Definition: Island BAR(to rule out/to exclude) + BA(one with a Bachelor of Arts degree, who can be refered to as a "Bachelor") + DOS(plural of "do"/a party/social function).
Local salt on English shellfish (8)	BARNACLE	Definition: shellfish BAR(a pub, and one that is near one's home or place of work is a "local") + NACL(chemical formula for the salt, sodium chloride, used as a table salt) + E(abbrev. for "English"). They can form an attachment to another creature:
Wolf one wild feral creature (6)	PIGEON	Definition: feral creature PIG(to wolf/to devour food greedily/to gorge oneself with food) + anagram of(… wild) ONE. Defn: …, as opposed to the domesticated variety. That's them sitting and s*itting:
Mountain-climbing fashion-conscious youth dressed in silver, perhaps (6)	PLATED	Definition: dressed in silver, perhaps Reversal of(…-climbing, in a down clue) ALP(a high snow-capped mountain) + TED(short for "teddy boy"/a fashion-conscious youth in the 1950s and 1960s). Defn: Dressed/covered with a thin layer of, say/perhaps, silver.
Sailors on bench both losing weight, getting thin fare (5)	CREPE	Definition: thin fare [ "crew"(sailor manning a watercraft) placed above(on, in a down clue) "pew"(a long bench in a church to seat the congregation) ] minus from both words(both losing) "w"(abbrev. for "weight").
Firm support for unoriginal performer? (6)	COPIER	Definition: unoriginal performer CO(abbrev. for "company", a commercial firm) + PIER(a solid support designed to sustain vertical pressure).
Salesperson by a street offering food (6)	REPAST	Definition: food REP(short for a sales representative/salesperson) plus(by) A + ST(abbrev. for "street").
Issue new item (4)	EMIT	Definition: Issue Anagram of(new) ITEM. Defn: …/to produce and discharge.
Not giving up with prettiness destroyed (10)	PERSISTENT	Definition: Not giving up Anagram of(… destroyed) PRETTINESS.
Fuss when sibling loses a right (6)	BOTHER	Definition: Fuss "brother"(a male sibling) minus one of its(loses a) "r"(abbrev. for "right").
What may be worn — more short robes, properly tailored (8)	SOMBRERO	Definition: What may be worn Anagram of(…, properly tailored) ["more" minus its last letter(short) + ROBES].
Downcast journalists probing exploit (9)	DEPRESSED	Definition: Downcast PRESS(journalists/news reporters, collectively) contained in(probing) DEED(an exploit/a feat).
A male cat gets something tiny (4)	ATOM	Definition: something tiny A + TOM(a male cat).
Announcement of importance? Hang about (4)	WAIT	Definition: Hang about Homophone of(Announcement of) "weight"(importance/significance).
Stars offering old jokes on island (9)	CAPRICORN	Definition: Stars CORN(old jokes/humour considered old-fashioned and trite) placed after(on) CAPRI(a resort island in Italy). Answer: The sign in the zodiac, originating from the constellation of stars, the Capricornus.
The fellow left to go down to island capital (8)	HELSINKI	Definition: capital HE(third-person pronoun for that fellow) + L(abbrev. for "left") + SINK(to go down/drop to a lower level) + I(abbrev. for "island"). Defn: … city of Finland.
Alter church, leading to endless wrath (6)	CHANGE	Definition: Alter CH(abbrev. for "church") plus(leading to) "anger"(wrath/fury) minus its last letter(endless …).
Unusually decent boss? Less than ideal (6,4)	SECOND BEST	Definition: Less than ideal Anagram of(Unusually) DECENT BOSS.
For foot one needs a doctor (4)	IAMB	Definition: foot I(Roman numeral for "one") plus(needs) A + MB(abbrev. for "Medicinae Baccalaureus", translated as Bachelor of Medicine, a doctor's degree). Answer: … or iambus/a foot or unit of sound in poetry.
Tot comes with me to river when it's hot? (6)	SUMMER	Definition: when it's hot SUM(to tot/to add up) plus(comes with) ME plus(to) R(abbrev. for "river").
Union Jack, maybe, on vessel (6)	FLAGON	Definition: vessel FLAG(an example of which/maybe is the Union Jack, effectively the national flag of the UK) + ON.
Arrive carrying cooking utensil and dish (7)	COMPOTE	Definition: dish COME(to arrive/reach one's destination) containing(carrying) POT(a rounded or cylindrical container/utensil used in cooking).
Quality of note which cricketers need (5)	PITCH	Definition: Quality of note,which cricketers need Double defn: 1st: …, a musical note, that is; and 2nd: The ground … to play their game on.
Domains filling English politicians with anger (7)	EMPIRES	Definition: Domains [ E(abbrev. for "English") + MPS(abbrev. for Members of Parliaments, elected politicians) ] containing(filling … with) IRE(anger/rage).
Imagine not beginning tricky puzzle (6)	ENIGMA	Definition: puzzle Anagram of(… tricky) ["Imagine" minus its 1st letter(not beginning)].
A national organisation associated with one cold region or another (9)	ANTARCTIC	Definition: another A + NT(abbrev. for the National Trust, an organisation for the preservation of heritage) plus(associated with) ARCTIC(the one cold region around the North Pole). Defn: …, cold region, that is.
Pet with brown tail mostly missing — odd (7)	TANTRUM	Definition: Pet TAN(a brown or yellowish-brown colour) + "tail" minus 3 out of its 4 letters(mostly missing) + RUM(odd/strange). Defn: …/an outburst of bad temper.
Angry old lover, an underground worker who wants questions answered? (5-8)	CROSS-EXAMINER	Definition: who wants questions answered? CROSS(angry/furious – there's a lot of anger in this puzzle?) + EX(an old lover/a party to a romantic relationship that's over) + [A MINER](an underground worker, in a mine, specifically).
Reason for cancelling outdoor event? Minor star is upset (9)	RAINSTORM	Definition: Reason for cancelling outdoor event Anagram of(… is upset) MINOR STAR. … or suspended at the least:
Little person not getting on — we express sadness (7)	WEEPERS	Definition: we express sadness WEE(little/small) + "person" minus(not getting) "on".
Article about musical event (7)	RECITAL	Definition: musical event Anagram of(… about) ARTICLE.
Almost all of a military group in a systematic plan for living (7)	REGIMEN	Definition: a systematic plan for living "regiment"(a military group/a unit in the armed forces) minus its last letter(Almost all of …).
Nervous, performing with advantage (2,4)	ON EDGE	Definition: Nervous ON(performing/doing a turn on stage, as in "Who's on tonight at the Apollo Theatre?") plus(with) EDGE(an advantage/a factor putting one ahead of the competition).
A player going down the side of the field is inspiring (5)	AWING	Definition: inspiring A + WING(position in a team of one/a player going down the side of the field in a match of, say, football or rugby). Defn: … with awe.
Musical group disheartened about having cathartic effect (9)	PURGATIVE	Definition: having cathartic effect Reversal of(… about) [ EVITA(the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice) + "group" minus its middle letter(disheartened) ].
When to fence in trembling tree? (5)	ASPEN	Definition: trembling tree AS(when/at that moment, as in "close the door as you leave) + PEN(to fence/to enclose in, say, a pen). Defn: A tree species with leaves that tremble in even slight breezes.

Organ and a rodent's head eaten by cat (6)

LARYNX

Definition: Organ [A + **1st letter of**(…'s head) "rodent" ] **contained in**(eaten by) LYNX(one of a species of wild cats). Defn: …, specifically your voice box.

Magnify fourth letter by writer (6)

DEEPEN

Definition: Magnify DEE("D", fourth letter in the alphabet) **plus**(by) PEN(a writer/a writing instrument). Defn: … in depth or intensity.

Manner in which to hold garden tool for trimming line of bushes (8)

HEDGEROW

Definition: line of bushes HOW(manner/the way of doing something) **containing**(in which to hold …) EDGER(a garden tool for trimming the edge of a lawn).

Direct official dismissing two characters at the end (5)

REFER

Definition: Direct "referee"(an official in a contest) **minus its last 2 letters**(dismissing two characters at the end). Defn: To …/bring someone's attention to something or somebody.

Small amounts of stuff consumed by rats (11)

SMATTERINGS

Definition: Small amounts MATTER(stuff/substance) **contained in**(consumed by) SINGS(rats/informs on, to the authorities, say).

Shrub from area in middle of bed to pull up (8)

GARDENIA

Definition: Shrub **Reversal of**(… up, in a down clue) [ A(abbrev. for "area") + IN + **middle letter of**(middle of) "bed" + DRAG(to pull along/haul) ].

Biblical tale roughly lad did endless havoc with giant (5,3,7)

DAVID AND GOLIATH

Definition: Biblical tale **Anagram of**(roughly) [LAD DID + "havoc" **minus ****its last letter**(endless …) **plus**(with) GIANT]. An apt surface for the definition.

Withdrawal of soldiers on exercises, all cut short (6)

REPEAL

Definition: Withdrawal RE(abbrev. for the Royal Engineers, soldiers in the British Army) **placed above**(on, in a down clue) PE(abbrev. for "physical education", instruction in physical exercise) + "all" **minus ****its last letter**(cut short). Defn: A formal …/a revocation of, say, a law.

Height of clipped shot (3)

TOR

Definition: Height **Last letter deleted from**(clipped) "tore"(shot/moved suddenly and rapidly).

Craft ales in set required (9)

ESSENTIAL

Definition: required **Anagram of**(Craft) ALES IN SET.

Wrongly understand disadvantages in fog on French road (11)

MISCONSTRUE

Definition: Wrongly understand CONS(disadvantages/that which serve as arguments against, say, doing something) **contained in**(in) MIST(a fog/a cloud of tiny droplets or particles suspended in air) **placed above**(on, in a down clue) RUE(French for "road").

Arch villain very old getting topped (9)

CURVATURE

Definition: Arch CUR(a villain/a rogue) + V(abbrev. for "very") + "mature"(old/aged) **minus ****its 1st letter**(getting topped).

Fought with editor after others left (8)

WRESTLED

Definition: Fought W(abbrev. for "with") + { ED(abbrev. for "editor") **placed below**(after, in a down clue) [ REST(the others/the remaining ones) + L(abbrev. for "left") ] }.

Test horse going round track before start of race (3,3)

DRY RUN

Definition: Test DUN(a horse with a particular colouring) **containing**(going round) [ RY(abbrev. for "railway", which runs on tracks/rails) **placed above**(before, in a down clue) **1st letter of**(start of) "race" ]. Defn: …/a rehearsal.

Dance in tartan gown (5)

TANGO

Definition: Dance **Hidden in**(in) "tartan gown".

Break a doctor binds (3)

GAP

Definition: Break A **contained in**(… binds) GP(abbrev. for "general practitioner", a non-specialist doctor).

Day ending often in scandal, where sailors may be found (7)

FRIGATE

Definition: where sailors may be found FRI(abbrev. for "Friday") + -GATE(suffix/ending often used to signify a scandal, which usage started after the US Watergate scandal).

Measure to avoid disorder in South American diplomacy? (4,3)

RIOT ACT

Definition: Measure to avoid disorder RIO(de Janeiro, city in South America) **as a qualifier to** TACT(diplomacy/discretion).

Pose and sit in odd places? This shows I crave attention (4)

PSST

Definition: This shows I crave attention **Respective 1st and 3rd letters of**(in odd places) "Pose" **plus**(and) "sit". Defn: Exclamation to attract attention but surreptitiously.

Dull article in Paris Match about leaving Tours (10)

UNEXCITING

Definition: Dull UN(article in French grammar, as can be found in the magazine Paris Match) + [ C(abbrev. for "circa"/about/around the time of a particular year) **contained in**(… Tours/travels round) EXITING(leaving/getting out of) ].

Mostly try to score before Hearts in tie (6)

ATTACH

Definition: tie "attack"(to try to score in, say, a football match) **minus ****its last letter**(Mostly …) **plus**(before) H(abbrev. for "Hearts", the suit in a deck of playing cards)

Concerning muscle contractions, getting treated is costly (8)

SYSTOLIC

Definition: Concerning muscle contractions **Anagram of**(treated) IS COSTLY. Defn: … of the heart.

Loudly criticise pudding getting stick down under (9)

BOOMERANG

Definition: stick down under **Homophone of**(Loudly) [ "boo!"(exclamation to criticise/show disapproval) + "meringue"(a pudding/a dessert made from egg whites and sugar) ]. Defn: …, in Australia, that is.

Phase one neglected in prehistoric period (5)

STAGE

Definition: Phase "one" **deleted from**(neglected in) "Stone Age"(the prehistoric period when weapons and tools were made of stone or organic material).

Chic European wanting second husband (5)

SWISH

Definition: Chic "Swiss"(a national from Switzerland in Europe) **minus**(wanting) "s"(abbrev. for "second" in time notation) + H(abbrev. for "husband").

Coat reapplied with flair in building with eight columns (9)

OCTASTYLE

Definition: building with eight columns **Anagram of**(… reapplied) COAT **plus**(with) STYLE(flair/elegance).

Atmosphere in April, possibly a revolutionary month (8)

PRAIRIAL

Definition: a revolutionary month AIR(atmosphere where one breathes and lives in) **contained in**(in) **anagram of**(…, possibly) APRIL. Defn: … in the French Revolutionary calendar.

Policeman carries little British idiots across the pond (6)

DWEEBS

Definition: idiots across the pond DS(abbrev. for "Detective Sergeant", a policeman) **containing**(carries) [WEE(little/tiny) + B(abbrev. for "British") ]. Defn: …, that is, as they are called in the USA.

Unreal match, Spain getting hammered (10)

PHANTASMIC

Definition: Unreal **Anagram of**(… getting hammered) MATCH, SPAIN.

Singer's articles from Buenos Aires (4)

ELLA

Definition: Singer EL,LA(2 articles in Spanish grammar as spoken in Buenos Aires, Argentina). Answer: … Fitzgerald, jazz singer.

Perhaps one of those who backed Holly in game (7)

CRICKET

Definition: Perhaps one of those who backed Holly,game Double defn: 1st: …, that is, played with Buddy Holly, rock and roll singer.

Bar worker's rent cut by politician given latitude (7)

TEMPLAR

Definition: Bar worker TEAR(a rent/a rip) ***contained in***(cut by) [ MP(abbrev. for a Member of Parliament, an elected politician) ***plus***(given) L(abbrev. for "latitude") ]. Defn: Whimsically, …/a lawyer who has been called to the Bar and lives or has chambers in the Middle or Inner Temple in London.

Male German teacher needing return fare from Italy (7)

RISOTTO

Definition: fare from Italy **Reversal of**(… needing return) [ OTTO(a somewhat common male German name) + SIR(form of address for a male teacher) ]. Landmark 1:

German district capital is not quite New York (5)

GOTHA

Definition: German district capital "Gotham"(informal name for New York) **minus its last letter**(not quite …). Defn: Capital city of the German district of the same name. Landmark 2:

Jerk accepting old lady's more badass (7)

TOUGHER

Definition: more badass TUG(a jerk/a hard or sudden pull) **containing**(accepting) O(abbrev. for "old") + HER(third person feminine pronoun, say, for a lady). Defn: …/intimidating. Landmark 3:

Way of paying hotel led by former empire-builders (2,4)

IN CASH

Definition: Way of paying H(letter represented by "hotel", in the phonetic alphabet) **placed below**(led by, in a down clue) INCAS(former/long past empire builders in South America). Landmark 5:

Idiot favouring rubbish principle of The Avengers? (3,3,3)

TIT FOR TAT

Definition: principle of The Avengers TIT(an idiot/an ineffectual person) + FOR(favouring/seconding) TAT(rubbish/cheap and bad articles like clothing or jewellery). Defn: …, or "one bad turn deserves another". Landmark 6:

Hapless chap playing with words, not initially clever (7)

CUNNING

Definition: clever "chap" **minus**(…less) "Hap" + "punning"(playing with words/making a joke with the meanings of words) **minus ****its 1st letter**(not initially). Landmark 7: Then: … and now:

New and funny no less, opinion piece is a capital feature (among six others here) (7,6)

NELSON’S COLUMN

Definition: a capital feature (among six others here) N(abbrev. for "new") **plus**(and) **anagram of**(funny) NO LESS + COLUMN(a regular article/piece in a newspaper or magazine, giving the opinion of the writer on a particular subject). Defn: …, that is, features in the capital city of London, hidden in the completed crossword grid. Landmark 4:

Football star caught gathering in a shot, miraculously able to save (9)

MESSIANIC

Definition: miraculously able to save [ MESSI(Lionel, Argentinian footballer) + C(abbrev. for "caught" in cricket scores) ] **containing**(gathering) **anagram of**(… shot) IN A. Defn: Describing one who is …/a saviour.

Literary Romantic hero briefly used to be the king (7)

WERTHER

Definition: Literary Romantic hero "were"(used to be) **minus ****its last letter**(briefly …) + THE + R(abbrev. for "Rex"/the reigning king). Defn: Fictional hero in "The Sorrows of Young Werther", written by Goethe, and which influenced the Romantic movement.

Take boat for diving then land (8)

SUBTRACT

Definition: Take SUB(short for "submarine", a boat that dives under water) **plus**(then) TRACT(an area of land/territory). Defn: … (away from).

More expensive watch secretly returned for maintenance (6)

UPKEEP

Definition: maintenance UP(more expensive/describing an increase in price) + **reversal of**(… returned) PEEK(to watch secretly/furtively).

Shed unfashionable stockings worn by upper class (8)

OUTHOUSE

Definition: Shed OUT(unfashionable/out of fashion) + HOSE(collective word for stockings, socks and tights) **containing**(worn by) U(letter signifying things upper class). Place to go when modern plumbing isn't available:

Chat and a fag (6)

GASPER

Definition: fag GAS(talk about trivial matters/chat) **plus**(and) PER(a/for each, as in $1 per minute). Defn: …/slang for cigarette, for obvious reasons.

Pavarotti for one bought enormous trousers (5)

TENOR

Definition: Pavarotti for one **Hidden in**(… trousers/takes) "bought enormous". Defn: An example of which/for one, is Luciano Pavarotti. Here's Three of them:

Waterproof loose on our son that's taken back to shop (9)

NONPOROUS

Definition: Waterproof **Anagram of**(loose) ON OUR SON **containing**(that's taken) **last letter of**(back to) "shop".

American bangs me entering pub, initially taking offence (12)

INFRINGEMENT

Definition: offence [ FRINGE(front section of one's hair hanging over and cut straight across the forehead, refered to in North America as "bangs") + ME ]**contained in**(entering) INN(a pub/establishment serving drinks mainly) + **1st letter of**(initially) "taking".

What e.g. 8 took from a child needing protection after school (7,5)

ACADEMY AWARD

Definition: What e.g. 8 took A + WARD(a child needing protection, under the care of a guardian) **placed after**(after) ACADEMY(a school/an educational institution). Defn: What a movie such as/e.g. "Parasite"(answer to 8 down) took/won.

Doctor can rub oil in both eyes (9)

BINOCULAR

Definition: in both eyes **Anagram of**(Doctor) CAN RUB OIL. Defn: For or ….

Small bottle of very acidic beer unfinished (5)

PHIAL

Definition: Small bottle PHI(pH1 with the Roman numeral substitution – in chemistry, the acidity or alkalinity of a solution is measured on the pH scale with pH1 being very acidic) + "ale"(a type of beer) **minus ****its last letter**(unfinished).

Touching a thousand fish repelled man unloading boat (6)

DOCKER

Definition: man unloading boat **Reversal of**(… repelled) [ RE(with reference to/touching on) + K(symbol for "a thousand" from the Greek "kilo") + COD(a large food fish) ]. What he was before he was the Don:

Old Indian spinner bats ten, following the order (8)

OBEDIENT

Definition: following the order O(abbrev. for "old") + BEDI(Bishan Singh, former Indian cricketer who was a spin bowler) + **anagram of**(bats) TEN. Defn: … or orders.

Stick jug by sink after emptying it (6)

SKEWER

Definition: Stick EWER(jug with a wide mouth) **placed after**(by) "sink" **minus all its inner letters**(after emptying it).

Logical engineers like 1D (8)

REASONED

Definition: Logical RE(abbrev. for the Royal Engineers) + AS(like/similar to, as used in similes) + ONE(the number 1) + D(abbrev. for "down").

Charming debate held in silence (6)

SMOOTH

Definition: Charming MOOT(a debate or discussion of a hypothetical case as an academic activity) **contained in**(held in) SH!(exclamation demanding silence). Defn: …/suave.

Scientific study every NATO battalion keeps up (6)

BOTANY

Definition: Scientific study **Hidden in**(… keeps) **reversal of**(… up, in a down clue) "every NATO battalion".

Current wanted for cultivation of arid region? (3,6)

RIO GRANDE

Definition: Current wanted for cultivation of arid region "i"(symbol for electric current in physics) **deleted from**(wanted for/found wanting in) **anagram of**(cultivation of) "arid region". Answer: …, a river in southwestern USA and northern Mexico that flows through arid and semi-arid land.

Blockbuster about Chinese locksmith with gold filling (6,6)

CASINO ROYALE

Definition: Blockbuster CA(abbrev. for "circa"/about/around the time of a particular year) + SINO-(prefix denoting something Chinese/related to China) YALE(Linus Jr., inventor of the pin tumbler lock and co-founder of the Yale Lock Manufacturing Company) **containing**(with … filling) OR(the colour gold in heraldry). Defn: … movie … take your pick:

One article chamber pot contains, something next to stool? (5)

PIANO

Definition: something next to stool [ I(Roman numeral for "one") + AN(article in grammar) ] **contained in**(… contains) PO(informal term for a chamber pot). Defn: …/that which is next to the stool the pianist sits on.

Former priest learning Dutch did survey (8)

EXPLORED

Definition: did survey EX-(prefix indicating former/once) + P(abbrev. for "priest") + LORE(body of knowledge held by a particular group of people, passed down from generation to generation) + D(abbrev. for "Dutch").

Soldier's the one chasing English sucker (8)

PARASITE

Definition: sucker PARA(short for "paratrooper", a soldier dropped by parachute into battle)'S ***plus***(… chasing/going after) IT(pronoun for something previously mentioned/the one) + E(abbrev. for "English").

Impossible to get wife to stop drifting near bus lane (12)

UNANSWERABLE

Definition: Impossible to get W(abbrev. for "wife") **contained in**(to stop) **anagram of**(drifting) NEAR BUS LANE. Defn: …/unsolvable.

Brussels rent that is reduced for playwright (9)

EURIPIDES

Definition: playwright EU(to which Brussels, its de facto capital, has become synonymous) + RIP(a rent/tear) + "id est"(ie./that is) **minus ****its last letter**(reduced). Defn: … of Ancient Greece.

Island to rule out bachelor parties (8)

BARBADOS

Definition: Island BAR(to rule out/to exclude) + BA(one with a Bachelor of Arts degree, who can be refered to as a "Bachelor") + DOS(plural of "do"/a party/social function).

Local salt on English shellfish (8)

BARNACLE

Definition: shellfish BAR(a pub, and one that is near one's home or place of work is a "local") + NACL(chemical formula for the salt, sodium chloride, used as a table salt) + E(abbrev. for "English"). They can form an attachment to another creature:

Wolf one wild feral creature (6)

PIGEON

Definition: feral creature PIG(to wolf/to devour food greedily/to gorge oneself with food) + **anagram of**(… wild) ONE. Defn: …, as opposed to the domesticated variety. That's them sitting and s*itting:

Mountain-climbing fashion-conscious youth dressed in silver, perhaps (6)

PLATED

Definition: dressed in silver, perhaps **Reversal of**(…-climbing, in a down clue) ALP(a high snow-capped mountain) + TED(short for "teddy boy"/a fashion-conscious youth in the 1950s and 1960s). Defn: Dressed/covered with a thin layer of, say/perhaps, silver.

Sailors on bench both losing weight, getting thin fare (5)

CREPE

Definition: thin fare [ "crew"(sailor manning a watercraft) **placed above**(on, in a down clue) "pew"(a long bench in a church to seat the congregation) ] **minus from both words**(both losing) "w"(abbrev. for "weight").

Firm support for unoriginal performer? (6)

COPIER

Definition: unoriginal performer CO(abbrev. for "company", a commercial firm) + PIER(a solid support designed to sustain vertical pressure).

Salesperson by a street offering food (6)

REPAST

Definition: food REP(short for a sales representative/salesperson) **plus**(by) A + ST(abbrev. for "street").

Issue new item (4)

EMIT

Definition: Issue **Anagram of**(new) ITEM. Defn: …/to produce and discharge.

Not giving up with prettiness destroyed (10)

PERSISTENT

Definition: Not giving up **Anagram of**(… destroyed) PRETTINESS.

Fuss when sibling loses a right (6)

BOTHER

Definition: Fuss "brother"(a male sibling) **minus one of its**(loses a) "r"(abbrev. for "right").

What may be worn — more short robes, properly tailored (8)

SOMBRERO

Definition: What may be worn **Anagram of**(…, properly tailored) ["more" **minus ****its last letter**(short) + ROBES].

Downcast journalists probing exploit (9)

DEPRESSED

Definition: Downcast PRESS(journalists/news reporters, collectively) **contained in**(probing) DEED(an exploit/a feat).

A male cat gets something tiny (4)

ATOM

Definition: something tiny A + TOM(a male cat).

Announcement of importance? Hang about (4)

WAIT

Definition: Hang about **Homophone of**(Announcement of) "weight"(importance/significance).

Stars offering old jokes on island (9)

CAPRICORN

Definition: Stars CORN(old jokes/humour considered old-fashioned and trite) **placed after**(on) CAPRI(a resort island in Italy). Answer: The sign in the zodiac, originating from the constellation of stars, the Capricornus.

The fellow left to go down to island capital (8)

HELSINKI

Definition: capital HE(third-person pronoun for that fellow) + L(abbrev. for "left") + SINK(to go down/drop to a lower level) + I(abbrev. for "island"). Defn: … city of Finland.

Alter church, leading to endless wrath (6)

CHANGE

Definition: Alter CH(abbrev. for "church") **plus**(leading to) "anger"(wrath/fury) **minus ****its last letter**(endless …).

Unusually decent boss? Less than ideal (6,4)

SECOND BEST

Definition: Less than ideal **Anagram of**(Unusually) DECENT BOSS.

For foot one needs a doctor (4)

IAMB

Definition: foot I(Roman numeral for "one") **plus**(needs) A + MB(abbrev. for "Medicinae Baccalaureus", translated as Bachelor of Medicine, a doctor's degree). Answer: … or iambus/a foot or unit of sound in poetry.

Tot comes with me to river when it's hot? (6)

SUMMER

Definition: when it's hot SUM(to tot/to add up) **plus**(comes with) ME **plus**(to) R(abbrev. for "river").

Union Jack, maybe, on vessel (6)

FLAGON

Definition: vessel FLAG(an example of which/maybe is the Union Jack, effectively the national flag of the UK) + ON.

Arrive carrying cooking utensil and dish (7)

COMPOTE

Definition: dish COME(to arrive/reach one's destination) **containing**(carrying) POT(a rounded or cylindrical container/utensil used in cooking).

Quality of note which cricketers need (5)

PITCH

Definition: Quality of note,which cricketers need Double defn: 1st: …, a musical note, that is; and 2nd: The ground … to play their game on.

Domains filling English politicians with anger (7)

EMPIRES

Definition: Domains [ E(abbrev. for "English") + MPS(abbrev. for Members of Parliaments, elected politicians) ] **containing**(filling … with) IRE(anger/rage).

Imagine not beginning tricky puzzle (6)

ENIGMA

Definition: puzzle **Anagram of**(… tricky) ["Imagine" **minus ****its 1st letter**(not beginning)].

A national organisation associated with one cold region or another (9)

ANTARCTIC

Definition: another A + NT(abbrev. for the National Trust, an organisation for the preservation of heritage) **plus**(associated with) ARCTIC(the one cold region around the North Pole). Defn: …, cold region, that is.

Pet with brown tail mostly missing — odd (7)

TANTRUM

Definition: Pet TAN(a brown or yellowish-brown colour) + "tail" **minus ****3 out of its 4 letters**(mostly missing) + RUM(odd/strange). Defn: …/an outburst of bad temper.

Angry old lover, an underground worker who wants questions answered? (5-8)

CROSS-EXAMINER

Definition: who wants questions answered? CROSS(angry/furious – there's a lot of anger in this puzzle?) + EX(an old lover/a party to a romantic relationship that's over) + [A MINER](an underground worker, in a mine, specifically).

Reason for cancelling outdoor event? Minor star is upset (9)

RAINSTORM

Definition: Reason for cancelling outdoor event **Anagram of**(… is upset) MINOR STAR. … or suspended at the least:

Little person not getting on — we express sadness (7)

WEEPERS

Definition: we express sadness WEE(little/small) + "person" **minus**(not getting) "on".

Article about musical event (7)

RECITAL

Definition: musical event **Anagram of**(… about) ARTICLE.

Almost all of a military group in a systematic plan for living (7)

REGIMEN

Definition: a systematic plan for living "regiment"(a military group/a unit in the armed forces) **minus ****its last letter**(Almost all of …).

Nervous, performing with advantage (2,4)

ON EDGE

Definition: Nervous ON(performing/doing a turn on stage, as in "Who's on tonight at the Apollo Theatre?") **plus**(with) EDGE(an advantage/a factor putting one ahead of the competition).

A player going down the side of the field is inspiring (5)

AWING

Definition: inspiring A + WING(position in a team of one/a player going down the side of the field in a match of, say, football or rugby). Defn: … with awe.

Musical group disheartened about having cathartic effect (9)

PURGATIVE

Definition: having cathartic effect **Reversal of**(… about) [ EVITA(the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice) + "group" **minus ****its middle letter**(disheartened) ].

When to fence in trembling tree? (5)

ASPEN

Definition: trembling tree AS(when/at that moment, as in "close the door as you leave) + PEN(to fence/to enclose in, say, a pen). Defn: A tree species with leaves that tremble in even slight breezes.