0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Like the Sphinx, reportedly, if accepted (11)	WEATHERWORN	Definition: Like the Sphinx Homophone of(reportedly) "whether"("if", as in "I couldn't tell whether he was right or wrong") + WORN(past tense of "wear", informal term for "accept"/"tolerate", as in "I wanted to try a new approach, but my boss wouldn't wear it"). : Note the weatherworn face.
Brazen stripping after dance causes annoyance (11)	DISCOMMODES	Definition: causes annoyance "immodest"(brazen/unashamed) minus its 1st and last letters(stripping) placed after(after) DISCO(a dance, specifically, an event at which people dance to disco music).
Space age turned on first of Apollos (4)	AREA	Definition: Space Reversal of(… turned) ERA(a long period of time/an age) plus(on) 1st letter of(first of) "Apollos". And the Apollos were a series of spacecraft during the space age.
Swimmer shockingly flashing around pier – not very good (10)	ANGLERFISH	Definition: Swimmer Anagram of(shockingly) FLASHING containing(around) "pier" minus(not) "pi"(short for "pious"/very good). That "light bulb" at the top of its head is its bait used to fish for other fish:
Unpackaged setters' fags – nice, laid back smoke (9)	CIGARETTE	Definition: smoke 1st and last letters, respectively, deleted from(Unpackaged) reversal of(…, laid back) "setters' fags – nice".
Being led, struggling to win (2,3)	IN TOW	Definition: Being led Anagram of(struggling) TO WIN.
Prevents editor spinning the likes of Saddam (7)	DESPOTS	Definition: the likes of Saddam Reversal of(… spinning) [STOPS(prevents/causes to cease) + ED(abbrev. for "editor")].
Rona Lee harassed another girl (7)	ELEANOR	Definition: another girl Anagram of(… harassed) RONA LEE. Defn: …, referring to "Rona Lee".
Rising corporation poaching American banker's design (3,3)	MAP OUT	Definition: design Reversal of(Rising, in a down clue) TUM(short for "tummy"/stomach/corporation/paunch) containing(poaching) [ A(abbrev. for "American") + PO(an Italian river, something with banks/a banker) ].
Country that's ravaged vital area (6)	LATVIA	Definition: Country Anagram of(ravaged) VITAL + A(abbrev. for "area").
Aluminium driver taken below bunker, possibly, or tree (10)	SANDALWOOD	Definition: tree [ AL(symbol for the chemical element, aluminium) + WOOD(a golf club, in this case a No. 1 wood/driver, mainly used for teeing off) ] placed below(taken below, in a down clue) SAND(term representing/possibly, a bunker, an obstacle in a golf course consisting of a sand-filled hollow). To complete the golfing surface: Driver heads can be made from aluminium or aluminium alloys, and there are large trees on a golf course.
Phone company's partial withdrawal of help package (5)	APPLE	Definition: Phone company Hidden in(partial) reversal of(withdrawal of) "help package". Defn: …, maker of the i-Phone.
Basked in a French club, having cast off clothing (9)	SUNBATHED	Definition: Basked [ UN(French for the article, "a") + BAT(a club/an implement for hitting a ball, say) ] contained in(having … clothing) SHED(cast off/took off, say, clothing). … in the French Club Med:
Finally serve ace, then service finding net (4)	EARN	Definition: net Last letter of(Finally) "serve" + A(abbrev. for "ace", as in the playing card) plus(then) RN(abbrev. for the Royal Navy, one of the Services in the British military). Defn: …/to gain as clear profit, after all deductions have been made.
Rise to attend one brief encounter (4,4)	COME UPON	Definition: encounter [COME UP](to rise/to reach a higher level) plus(to attend) "one" minus its last letter(brief).
Ellen MacArthur's craft headed up island on blowy night (8)	YACHTING	Definition: Ellen MacArthur's craft Reversal of(headed up, in a down clue) CAY(or key/a small low island made of sand and coral fragments) placed above(on, in a down clue) anagram of(blowy) NIGHT. Defn: Ellen MacArthur, the solo yachtswoman's skill/craft in handling an ocean-going craft.
Writer to yearn for goddess (10)	PROSERPINE	Definition: goddess PROSER(a writer/one who composes prose, hence, a proser) + PINE(to yearn/to long for). Defn: An ancient Roman ….
Ancient sea-creatures with shells, say, paladins picked up (9)	AMMONITES	Definition: Ancient sea-creatures AMMO(short for "ammunition", which includes/say, "shells"/explosive projectiles or bombs) + homophone of(… picked) "knights"(paladins/heroic champions of noble causes). … and the inside of one:
Late for Lent? (8)	ADVANCED	Definition: Late,Lent Double defn: 1st: …/far ahead in development; and 2nd: …, a sum of money, say.
Sprinklers keep initially-trimmed grass high (8)	ASPERGES	Definition: Sprinklers Anagram of(… high) [ "keep" minus its 1st letter(initially-trimmed) + GRASS]. Defn: Implements to sprinkle holy water.
Future queen, perhaps (6)	KITTEN	Definition: Future queen, perhaps Cryptic defn: That which may/perhaps grow in future to be a queen/an adult female cat that has not been sterilised.
Rain ensues when Her Majesty attends event (6)	SHOWER	Definition: Rain ER(abbrev. for "Elizabeth Regina", Her Majesty the Queen of the UK) placed below(attends, in a down clue) SHOW(an event or competition with an exhibition of animals or plants, eg. the Chelsea Flower Show).
Cutters with ship going round Ross Island cape capsized (8)	SCISSORS	Definition: Cutters SS(abbrev. for "steamship" in ships' names) containing(going round) reversal of(… capsized) [Ross + I(abbrev. for "island") + C(abbrev. for "cape" as in names of such geographical features in maps) ].
Toxic shock after ecstasy is unusual (6)	EXOTIC	Definition: unusual Anagram of(… shock) TOXIC placed after(after) E(abbrev. for the drug, ecstasy).
United holding lead in Championship previously (4)	ONCE	Definition: previously ONE(united/as a whole) containing(holding) 1st letter of(lead in) "Championship".
Patronise lecture by Spooner's municipal party? (4,4,2)	TALK DOWN TO	Definition: Patronise TALK(an informal lecture/speech) plus(by) Spoonerism of(Spooner's) ["town"(municipal/relating to a town) "do"(a party/a social function) ].
Heading off unwell during test is crafty (6)	TRICKY	Definition: crafty 1st letter deleted from(Heading off) "sick"(unwell/ill) contained in(during) TRY(to test/to subject to an ordeal).
Pudding seems not to be cooked (4,4)	ETON MESS	Definition: Pudding Anagram of(… to be cooked) SEEMS NOT. Defn: …/a dessert. … aka …
Little girl's dog carrying lead, oddly comical (7)	JOCULAR	Definition: comical JO(a short form of/little "Josephine", a girl's name) + CUR(an aggressive or scruffy dog, such as a mongrel) containing(carrying) 1st and 3rd letters of(…, oddly) "lead".
Opposed to profit in a way (7)	AGAINST	Definition: Opposed to GAIN(to profit/to obtain a financial benefit) contained in(in) [A + ST(abbrev. for "street"/a way/a thoroughfare) ].
Hit on perfect comeback to sweet-talk (6,2)	BUTTER UP	Definition: to sweet-talk BUTT(to hit/strike against with the head) plus(on) reversal of(… comeback) PURE(perfect/unspoiled). Defn: …/to flatter or praise someone to get his/her help.
Tackle occasional roguery with severity (6)	RIGOUR	Definition: severity RIG(tackle/equipment for a specific purpose) + 2nd, 4th and 6th letters of(occasional) "roguery".
Fine nights at sea with angling gear (7,3)	FISHING NET	Definition: angling gear Anagram of(… at sea) FINE NIGHTS.
Lift's free key (4)	RIDE	Definition: Lift RID(to free/to strip off an unwanted thing) plus(with) E(one of the major keys in music). Defn: …, as in "he's giving me a ride home".
A last letter has girl and English boy describing love in summerhouse (6)	GAZEBO	Definition: summerhouse [A + Z(last letter in the English alphabet) ] contained in(has … describing) G,E,B(abbrevs., respectively, for "girl" *plus(and*) "English boy") + O(letter representing 0/love in tennis scores). I take "G" and "B" as abbreviations in texting (unless a 1st letter indicator is missing?).
Development happens here when ship enters dead space (4,4)	DARK ROOM	Definition: Development happens here ARK(a ship or boat, such as Noah's Ark) contained in(enters) [ D(abbrev. for "dead") + ROOM(space/an unoccupied area). Defn: …, ie. development of photographic film … and perhaps more:
Sequence of possible events with cranes moving satellite (8)	SCENARIO	Definition: Sequence of possible events Anagram of(… moving) CRANES + IO(a satellite/moon of Jupiter). Defn: …, as in a novel, play or film.
Land in the water when one's left suspended in the middle (4)	ISLE	Definition: Land in the water I(Roman numeral for "one")'S + L(abbrev. for "left") + middle letter of(… in the middle) "suspended".
Throw out unknown dignitary (6)	WORTHY	Definition: dignitary Anagram of(… out) Throw + Y(symbol for an unknown quantity, in maths).
Rashly, leader has point inserted in official record (8)	HEADLONG	Definition: Rashly HEAD(the leader/chief) plus(has) [ N(abbrev. for "north", a compass point) contained in(inserted in) LOG(an official record/journal) ].
Leaving to collect small women's group, not even mums, to take a dip (2,8)	GO SWIMMING	Definition: to take a dip GOING(leaving/departing from) containing(to collect) [ S(abbrev. for "small") + WI(abbrev. for the Women's Institute, a group/organisation of women) + 2nd and 4th letters deleted from(not even) "mums".
Opening ground, authorise ore to be extracted (6)	HIATUS	Definition: Opening Anagram of(ground) [ "authorise" minus(… to be extracted) "ore" ]. Defn: A natural …/cleft in anatomy.
Vicar's upset collecting one pound in coins (6)	SILVER	Definition: coins Reversal of(…'s upset, in a down clue) REV(form of address for a vicar)'S containing(collecting) [ I(Roman numeral for "one") + L(or £, symbol for pound sterling) ]. Defn: …, collectively, made of, or looking like they're made of, silver.
Try to get to sleep in nobleman's pile, we hear (5,5)	COUNT SHEEP	Definition: Try to get to sleep COUNT(a nobleman, specifically a European one equivalent to an earl)'S + homophone of(…, we hear) "heap"(a pile/collection of objects stacked on top of each other).
New matador runs around, haphazardly (2,6)	AT RANDOM	Definition: haphazardly Anagram of(… runs around) [ N(abbrev. for "new") + MATADOR ].
Military unit is one of four in southern front that's shelled (8)	SQUADRON	Definition: Military unit QUAD(short for "quadruplet", one of four children from the same mother in the same delivery) contained in(in) [ S(abbrev. for "southern") + "front" minus its 1st and last letters(that's shelled) ].
Unlocked desperate need to pursue work (6)	OPENED	Definition: Unlocked Anagram of(desperate) NEED placed after(to pursue) OP(abbrev. for "opus"/a musical composition/work).
Chauffeur in a limousine's shown place to go (6)	URINAL	Definition: place to go Hidden in(…'s shown) "Chauffeur in a limousine". Defn: …/to urinate into.
Frightful rotter makes angry reply (6)	RETORT	Definition: angry reply Anagram of(Frightful) ROTTER.
Exceptional acceleration in luxury car with electric starter (4)	RARE	Definition: Exceptional A(symbol for "acceleration", in physics) contained in(in) RR(abbrev. for "Rolls-Royce", a luxury car) plus(with) 1st letter of(… starter) "electric".
Sign made by soldier at Agincourt? (6)	ARCHER	Definition: Sign,soldier at Agincourt Double defn: 1st: The zodiacal …, Sagittarius the Archer; and 2nd: One of the soldiers with longbows predominant in the victorious English side at the Battle of Agincourt.
Delay supplying tree — new date needed for planting (4,4)	LEAD TIME	Definition: Delay supplying LIME(the evergreen tree producing the citrus fruit, the lime) containing(… needed for planting) anagram of(new) DATE. Defn: …/the time delay between order and delivery/supply, of a product, say.
Showing off is fair (8)	SPORTING	Definition: Showing off,fair Double defn: 1st: …/wearing ostentatiously; and 2nd: … and generous in one's treatment of others, especially towards one's opponents.
Saw a knight after travail (6)	SLOGAN	Definition: Saw [A + N(abbrev. for "knight" in chess notation) ] placed after(after) SLOG(travail/painful or laborious effort). Defn: …/a motto.
Refuse stuff tossed back (4)	MARC	Definition: Refuse Reversal of(… tossed back) CRAM(to stuff/to completely fill, say, a container to overflowing). Defn: … of grapes or other fruit that have been pressed for winemaking. From: to this:
Not the first mistake made by fielder? (6,4)	SECOND SLIP	Definition: Not the first mistake,fielder Double defn: 1st: What you might call error/mistake number 2; and 2nd: A … in the cricket side that is fielding.
Member of group to project sounds (6)	BEATLE	Definition: Member of group Homophone of(… sounds) "beetle"(to project/overhang, as in "beetle-browed"). Defn: …, aka the Fab Four.
Left always needs time to gain influence (8)	LEVERAGE	Definition: influence L(abbrev. for "left") + EVER(always/at all times) plus(needs) AGE(a long period of time).
Story that could be seen as a clue to Times? (4,4)	NEWS ITEM	Definition: Story Reverse clue. The answer to the clue: Anagram of(NEW) SITEM is "Times".
Head of fish, with first bit cut off (6)	NAPPER	Definition: Head "snapper"(a seawater food fish) minus its 1st letter(with first bit cut off). Defn: Slang for one's ….
Entertainment as pretties become naughty … (10)	STRIPTEASE	Definition: Entertainment as pretties become naughty Anagram of(… become naughty) AS PRETTIES. Defn: Pretties (as a noun) doing naughty stuff. An &lit.
inducing this in fluster? (4)	LUST	Definition: inducing this Hidden in(in) "fluster". Defn: Entertainment in 21 across(…) might induce this.
Book that's turned up on radio (6)	VOLUME	Definition: Book,that's turned up on radio Double defn: 2nd: That which can be controlled up (or down) on a radio.
Study about indifferent male farmers (8)	DAIRYMEN	Definition: farmers DEN(a study/a room where when can be private) containing(about) [ AIRY(indifferent/treating something casually) + M(abbrev. for "male") ].
What makes hedges ultimately neater? (8)	STRIMMER	Definition: What makes hedges ultimately neater Last letter of(… ultimately) "hedges" + TRIMMER(neater/more orderly). Another &lit.
Green maybe inclined to talk too much about beginning of revolution (6)	GRASSY	Definition: Green maybe GASSY(inclined to talk too much about trivial matters) containing(about) 1st letter of(beginning of) "revolution".
Percent lost came to be worked out in insurer's estimate (11,4)	REPLACEMENT COST	Definition: insurer's estimate Anagram of(… to be worked) PERCENT LOST CAME. Defn: … of the amount that can be awarded under an insurance claim.
Hard cheese? No thanks, when eating a vegetable! (7)	HARICOT	Definition: vegetable H(abbrev. for "hard", as with lead pencils) + "ricotta"(a soft Italian cheese) minus(No) "ta!"(thanks/thank you) containing(when eating) A.
Antwerp is unfortunately suffering from stormy weather (9)	RAIN SWEPT	Definition: suffering from stormy weather Anagram of(… unfortunately) ANTWERP IS.
Sound of soldier in pub (7)	LOGICAL	Definition: Sound GI(initials describing an American soldier) contained in(in) LOCAL(a pub/watering hole near one's office or home that one frequents). Defn: … in reasoning.
Crime of minister initially denied (5)	ARSON	Definition: Crime "parson"(a minister in the clergy) minus its 1st letter(initially denied).
Novice? One missing out with exploitative type in pocket (7)	TROUSER	Definition: pocket "tiro"(or "tyro"/a novice or beginner) minus(… missing out) "I"(Roman numeral for "one") plus(with) USER(an exploitative type/one taking advantage of others). Defn: Slang for …/to take or receive dishonestly.
Sense single man's suffering from futility (15)	MEANINGLESSNESS	Definition: futility Anagram of(… suffering) SENSE SINGLE MAN'S.
Putting a coat on, eg never shivering outside home (9)	VENEERING	Definition: Putting a coat on Anagram of(… shivering) EG NEVER containing(outside) IN(home, as in "I'll be home tonight"). Defn: …, that is, a coat of paint or varnish, say, on a surface.
Must I lie around without energy? Drugs could be the answer (7)	STIMULI	Definition: Must I lie around without energy? Drugs could be the answer Anagram of(… around) "Must I lie" minus(without) "e"(symbol for "energy" in physics). Defn: How you could describe drugs such as uppers, that give you energy to be up and about. Another &lit.
Person with needle and cotton maybe securing a thread? (7)	MEANDER	Definition: thread MENDER(one with needle and cotton could/maybe be mending something torn) containing(securing) A. Defn: To wind/weave your way, such as when threading your way through a series of obstacles.
Old city flourishing with distinguished artist (7)	PALMYRA	Definition: Old city PALMY(flourishing/prosperous) plus(with) RA(post-nominals for a member of the Royal Academy of Arts, a distinguished/honoured artist). Defn: An ancient city in present-day Syria.
Article placed on top of room unit (5)	THERM	Definition: unit THE(an article in English grammar) placed above(placed on top of, in a down clue) RM(abbrev. for "room"). Defn: … of heat.
Appetite returns in middle of jiu-jitsu lesson (4)	LUST	Definition: Appetite Hidden in(in middle) reversal of(returns) "of jiu-jitsu lesson".
Turns out partner is worried about society (10)	TRANSPIRES	Definition: Turns out Anagram of(… worried) PARTNER IS containing(about) S(abbrev. for "Society").
Arab members of militia ignoring old instructor, initially (6)	YEMENI	Definition: Arab "yeomen"(historically, members of the volunteer militia force raised from the civilian yeomanry/men who held small landed estates) minus(ignoring) "o"(abbrev. for "old") + 1st letter of(…, initially) "instructor". Defn: …, specifically from Yemen.
Warning about ringing university hospital is rot (8)	LANGUISH	Definition: rot Reversal of(… about) SIGNAL(a warning/an indication of, perhaps, danger in a situation) containing(ringing) U(abbrev. for "university") + H(abbrev. for "hospital"). Defn: …/to decay, as a result of neglect.
River estuaries separated by grand locks (8)	RINGLETS	Definition: locks R(abbrev. for "river") + INLETS(estuaries/narrows strips of water from the sea or a lake into the land) containing(separated by) G(abbrev. for "grand"/a thousand dollars or pounds). Defn: … of hair.
Sculpture of extremely beautiful charging horse (6)	MARBLE	Definition: Sculpture 1st and last letters of(extremely) "beautiful" containing(charging) MARE(a female horse). Defn: A … made from, well, marble.
Barbarian swine retreating across central plateau (4)	GOTH	Definition: Barbarian Reversal of(… retreating) HOG(a swine/pig, that's been domesticated) containing(across) middle letter of(central) "plateau".
Tree evolves hollow shoots (5)	FIRES	Definition: shoots FIR(an evergreen coniferous tree) + "evolves" minus all its middle letters(hollow).
That woman's written about a judge (4)	HEAR	Definition: judge HER(that woman's/third-party possessive pronoun for a female) containing(written about) A. Defn: … in a court of law.
More convinced by upper-class extortionist (6)	USURER	Definition: extortionist SURER(more convinced/certain) placed after(by) U(having the characteristics of the upper-class). Defn: …, eg. a moneylender who charges obscene/extortionate interest rates.
Note put pressure on teacher (8)	MISTRESS	Definition: teacher MI(a note in the sol-fa music scale) + STRESS(to put pressure/force on a material object). Defn: A (female) … who teaches a particular subject.
Cut power after city church is besieged by angry mob (4,4)	LAMB CHOP	Definition: Cut P(symbol for "power" in physics) placed after(after) { LA(abbrev. for Los Angeles, the American city) + [ CH(abbrev. for "church") contained in(is besieged by) anagram of(angry) MOB] }. Defn: A thick … of meat of lamb, around and often including a rib.
A state government department takes on women arbitrarily (6)	ANYHOW	Definition: arbitrarily A + NY(abbrev. for New York State in the USA) + HO(abbrev. for "Home Office", a government department in the UK) plus(takes on) W(abbrev. for "women").
Blessed types rejecting first electronic implants (10)	PACEMAKERS	Definition: implants "peacemakers"(blessed types who negotiate peace between conflicting parties) minus(rejecting) 1st letter of(first) "electronic". Defn: … into the body to regulate the heartbeat.
Born and died in penury (4)	NEED	Definition: penury NEE(born, used in reference to a married woman's maiden name) plus(and) D(abbrev. for "died"). Defn: …/state of being poor/lacking in things.
Journalists ride bus to abandoned capital of Sumer (10)	SUBEDITORS	Definition: Journalists Anagram of(… abandoned) RIDE BUS TO + 1st letter of(capital of) "Sumer".
Might run into nasty gents on outskirts of Teignmouth (8)	STRENGTH	Definition: Might R(abbrev. for "run", in cricket scores) contained in(into) anagram of(nasty) GENTS placed above(on, in a down clue) 1st and last letters of(outskirts of) "Teignmouth".
Unrest starts to spread to common (6)	STRIFE	Definition: Unrest 1st letters, respectively, of(starts to) "spread to" + RIFE(common/widespread).
Everyone is depressed by Bachelor Party (4)	BALL	Definition: Party ALL(everyone) placed below(is depressed by, in a down clue) B(abbrev. for "Bachelor").
Joint paper on British novelist making waves (8)	TSUNAMIS	Definition: waves T(a right-angled joint, in wood, say, shaped like the letter "T") + SUN(a British tabloid newspaper) placed above(on, in a down clue) AMIS(Kingsley or Martin, father and son British novelists). Defn: Giant ….
Large island where Latin quarter essentially provides alcohol (6)	LIQUOR	Definition: alcohol L(abbrev. for "large") + I(abbrev. for "island") + QUO(Latin for "where") + middle letter of(… essentially) "quarter".
Picking up standard membership fees for religious group (4)	JEWS	Definition: religious group Homophone of(Picking up) "dues"(standard membership fees, such as "union dues"). I suppose you might hear some people pronounce the "d" as "dj".

Like the Sphinx, reportedly, if accepted (11)

WEATHERWORN

Definition: Like the Sphinx **Homophone of**(reportedly) "whether"("if", as in "I couldn't tell whether he was right or wrong") + WORN(past tense of "wear", informal term for "accept"/"tolerate", as in "I wanted to try a new approach, but my boss wouldn't wear it"). : Note the weatherworn face.

Brazen stripping after dance causes annoyance (11)

DISCOMMODES

Definition: causes annoyance "immodest"(brazen/unashamed) **minus its 1st and last letters**(stripping) **placed after**(after) DISCO(a dance, specifically, an event at which people dance to disco music).

Space age turned on first of Apollos (4)

AREA

Definition: Space **Reversal of**(… turned) ERA(a long period of time/an age) **plus**(on) **1st letter of**(first of) "Apollos". And the Apollos were a series of spacecraft during the space age.

Swimmer shockingly flashing around pier – not very good (10)

ANGLERFISH

Definition: Swimmer **Anagram of**(shockingly) FLASHING **containing**(around) "pier" **minus**(not) "pi"(short for "pious"/very good). That "light bulb" at the top of its head is its bait used to fish for other fish:

Unpackaged setters' fags – nice, laid back smoke (9)

CIGARETTE

Definition: smoke **1st and last letters, respectively, ****deleted from**(Unpackaged) **reversal of**(…, laid back) "setters' fags – nice".

Being led, struggling to win (2,3)

IN TOW

Definition: Being led **Anagram of**(struggling) TO WIN.

Prevents editor spinning the likes of Saddam (7)

DESPOTS

Definition: the likes of Saddam **Reversal of**(… spinning) [STOPS(prevents/causes to cease) + ED(abbrev. for "editor")].

Rona Lee harassed another girl (7)

ELEANOR

Definition: another girl **Anagram of**(… harassed) RONA LEE. Defn: …, referring to "Rona Lee".

Rising corporation poaching American banker's design (3,3)

MAP OUT

Definition: design **Reversal of**(Rising, in a down clue) TUM(short for "tummy"/stomach/corporation/paunch) **containing**(poaching) [ A(abbrev. for "American") + PO(an Italian river, something with banks/a banker) ].

Country that's ravaged vital area (6)

LATVIA

Definition: Country **Anagram of**(ravaged) VITAL + A(abbrev. for "area").

Aluminium driver taken below bunker, possibly, or tree (10)

SANDALWOOD

Definition: tree [ AL(symbol for the chemical element, aluminium) + WOOD(a golf club, in this case a No. 1 wood/driver, mainly used for teeing off) ] **placed below**(taken below, in a down clue) SAND(term representing/possibly, a bunker, an obstacle in a golf course consisting of a sand-filled hollow). To complete the golfing surface: Driver heads can be made from aluminium or aluminium alloys, and there are large trees on a golf course.

Phone company's partial withdrawal of help package (5)

APPLE

Definition: Phone company **Hidden in**(partial) **reversal of**(withdrawal of) "help package". Defn: …, maker of the i-Phone.

Basked in a French club, having cast off clothing (9)

SUNBATHED

Definition: Basked [ UN(French for the article, "a") + BAT(a club/an implement for hitting a ball, say) ] **contained in**(having … clothing) SHED(cast off/took off, say, clothing). … in the French Club Med:

Finally serve ace, then service finding net (4)

EARN

Definition: net **Last letter of**(Finally) "serve" + A(abbrev. for "ace", as in the playing card) **plus**(then) RN(abbrev. for the Royal Navy, one of the Services in the British military). Defn: …/to gain as clear profit, after all deductions have been made.

Rise to attend one brief encounter (4,4)

COME UPON

Definition: encounter [COME UP](to rise/to reach a higher level) **plus**(to attend) "one" **minus ****its last letter**(brief).

Ellen MacArthur's craft headed up island on blowy night (8)

YACHTING

Definition: Ellen MacArthur's craft **Reversal of**(headed up, in a down clue) CAY(or key/a small low island made of sand and coral fragments) **placed above**(on, in a down clue) **anagram of**(blowy) NIGHT. Defn: Ellen MacArthur, the solo yachtswoman's skill/craft in handling an ocean-going craft.

Writer to yearn for goddess (10)

PROSERPINE

Definition: goddess PROSER(a writer/one who composes prose, hence, a proser) + PINE(to yearn/to long for). Defn: An ancient Roman ….

Ancient sea-creatures with shells, say, paladins picked up (9)

AMMONITES

Definition: Ancient sea-creatures AMMO(short for "ammunition", which includes/say, "shells"/explosive projectiles or bombs) + **homophone of**(… picked) "knights"(paladins/heroic champions of noble causes). … and the inside of one:

Late for Lent? (8)

ADVANCED

Definition: Late,Lent Double defn: 1st: …/far ahead in development; and 2nd: …, a sum of money, say.

Sprinklers keep initially-trimmed grass high (8)

ASPERGES

Definition: Sprinklers **Anagram of**(… high) [ "keep" **minus its 1st letter**(initially-trimmed) + GRASS]. Defn: Implements to sprinkle holy water.

Future queen, perhaps (6)

KITTEN

Definition: Future queen, perhaps Cryptic defn: That which may/perhaps grow in future to be a queen/an adult female cat that has not been sterilised.

Rain ensues when Her Majesty attends event (6)

SHOWER

Definition: Rain ER(abbrev. for "Elizabeth Regina", Her Majesty the Queen of the UK) **placed below**(attends, in a down clue) SHOW(an event or competition with an exhibition of animals or plants, eg. the Chelsea Flower Show).

Cutters with ship going round Ross Island cape capsized (8)

SCISSORS

Definition: Cutters SS(abbrev. for "steamship" in ships' names) **containing**(going round) **reversal of**(… capsized) [Ross + I(abbrev. for "island") + C(abbrev. for "cape" as in names of such geographical features in maps) ].

Toxic shock after ecstasy is unusual (6)

EXOTIC

Definition: unusual **Anagram of**(… shock) TOXIC **placed after**(after) E(abbrev. for the drug, ecstasy).

United holding lead in Championship previously (4)

ONCE

Definition: previously ONE(united/as a whole) **containing**(holding) **1st letter of**(lead in) "Championship".

Patronise lecture by Spooner's municipal party? (4,4,2)

TALK DOWN TO

Definition: Patronise TALK(an informal lecture/speech) **plus**(by) **Spoonerism of**(Spooner's) ["town"(municipal/relating to a town) "do"(a party/a social function) ].

Heading off unwell during test is crafty (6)

TRICKY

Definition: crafty **1st letter deleted from**(Heading off) "sick"(unwell/ill) **contained in**(during) TRY(to test/to subject to an ordeal).

Pudding seems not to be cooked (4,4)

ETON MESS

Definition: Pudding **Anagram of**(… to be cooked) SEEMS NOT. Defn: …/a dessert. … aka …

Little girl's dog carrying lead, oddly comical (7)

JOCULAR

Definition: comical JO(a short form of/little "Josephine", a girl's name) + CUR(an aggressive or scruffy dog, such as a mongrel) **containing**(carrying) **1st and 3rd letters of**(…, oddly) "lead".

Opposed to profit in a way (7)

AGAINST

Definition: Opposed to GAIN(to profit/to obtain a financial benefit) **contained in**(in) [A + ST(abbrev. for "street"/a way/a thoroughfare) ].

Hit on perfect comeback to sweet-talk (6,2)

BUTTER UP

Definition: to sweet-talk BUTT(to hit/strike against with the head) **plus**(on) **reversal of**(… comeback) PURE(perfect/unspoiled). Defn: …/to flatter or praise someone to get his/her help.

Tackle occasional roguery with severity (6)

RIGOUR

Definition: severity RIG(tackle/equipment for a specific purpose) + **2nd, 4th and 6th letters of**(occasional) "roguery".

Fine nights at sea with angling gear (7,3)

FISHING NET

Definition: angling gear **Anagram of**(… at sea) FINE NIGHTS.

Lift's free key (4)

RIDE

Definition: Lift RID(to free/to strip off an unwanted thing) **plus**(with) E(one of the major keys in music). Defn: …, as in "he's giving me a ride home".

A last letter has girl and English boy describing love in summerhouse (6)

GAZEBO

Definition: summerhouse [A + Z(last letter in the English alphabet) ] **contained in**(has … describing) G,E,B(abbrevs., respectively, for "girl" ***plus***(**and**) "English boy") + O(letter representing 0/love in tennis scores). I take "G" and "B" as abbreviations in texting (unless a 1st letter indicator is missing?).

Development happens here when ship enters dead space (4,4)

DARK ROOM

Definition: Development happens here ARK(a ship or boat, such as Noah's Ark) **contained in**(enters) [ D(abbrev. for "dead") + ROOM(space/an unoccupied area). Defn: …, ie. development of photographic film … and perhaps more:

Sequence of possible events with cranes moving satellite (8)

SCENARIO

Definition: Sequence of possible events **Anagram of**(… moving) CRANES + IO(a satellite/moon of Jupiter). Defn: …, as in a novel, play or film.

Land in the water when one's left suspended in the middle (4)

ISLE

Definition: Land in the water I(Roman numeral for "one")'S + L(abbrev. for "left") + **middle letter of**(… in the middle) "suspended".

Throw out unknown dignitary (6)

WORTHY

Definition: dignitary **Anagram of**(… out) Throw + Y(symbol for an unknown quantity, in maths).

Rashly, leader has point inserted in official record (8)

HEADLONG

Definition: Rashly HEAD(the leader/chief) **plus**(has) [ N(abbrev. for "north", a compass point) **contained in**(inserted in) LOG(an official record/journal) ].

Leaving to collect small women's group, not even mums, to take a dip (2,8)

GO SWIMMING

Definition: to take a dip GOING(leaving/departing from) **containing**(to collect) [ S(abbrev. for "small") + WI(abbrev. for the Women's Institute, a group/organisation of women) + **2nd and 4th letters deleted from**(not even) "mums".

Opening ground, authorise ore to be extracted (6)

HIATUS

Definition: Opening **Anagram of**(ground) [ "authorise" **minus**(… to be extracted) "ore" ]. Defn: A natural …/cleft in anatomy.

Vicar's upset collecting one pound in coins (6)

SILVER

Definition: coins **Reversal of**(…'s upset, in a down clue) REV(form of address for a vicar)'S **containing**(collecting) [ I(Roman numeral for "one") + L(or £, symbol for pound sterling) ]. Defn: …, collectively, made of, or looking like they're made of, silver.

Try to get to sleep in nobleman's pile, we hear (5,5)

COUNT SHEEP

Definition: Try to get to sleep COUNT(a nobleman, specifically a European one equivalent to an earl)'S + **homophone of**(…, we hear) "heap"(a pile/collection of objects stacked on top of each other).

New matador runs around, haphazardly (2,6)

AT RANDOM

Definition: haphazardly **Anagram of**(… runs around) [ N(abbrev. for "new") + MATADOR ].

Military unit is one of four in southern front that's shelled (8)

SQUADRON

Definition: Military unit QUAD(short for "quadruplet", one of four children from the same mother in the same delivery) **contained in**(in) [ S(abbrev. for "southern") + "front" **minus its 1st and last letters**(that's shelled) ].

Unlocked desperate need to pursue work (6)

OPENED

Definition: Unlocked **Anagram of**(desperate) NEED **placed after**(to pursue) OP(abbrev. for "opus"/a musical composition/work).

Chauffeur in a limousine's shown place to go (6)

URINAL

Definition: place to go **Hidden in**(…'s shown) "Chauffeur in a limousine". Defn: …/to urinate into.

Frightful rotter makes angry reply (6)

RETORT

Definition: angry reply **Anagram of**(Frightful) ROTTER.

Exceptional acceleration in luxury car with electric starter (4)

RARE

Definition: Exceptional A(symbol for "acceleration", in physics) **contained in**(in) RR(abbrev. for "Rolls-Royce", a luxury car) **plus**(with) **1st letter of**(… starter) "electric".

Sign made by soldier at Agincourt? (6)

ARCHER

Definition: Sign,soldier at Agincourt Double defn: 1st: The zodiacal …, Sagittarius the Archer; and 2nd: One of the soldiers with longbows predominant in the victorious English side at the Battle of Agincourt.

Delay supplying tree — new date needed for planting (4,4)

LEAD TIME

Definition: Delay supplying LIME(the evergreen tree producing the citrus fruit, the lime) **containing**(… needed for planting) **anagram of**(new) DATE. Defn: …/the time delay between order and delivery/supply, of a product, say.

Showing off is fair (8)

SPORTING

Definition: Showing off,fair Double defn: 1st: …/wearing ostentatiously; and 2nd: … and generous in one's treatment of others, especially towards one's opponents.

Saw a knight after travail (6)

SLOGAN

Definition: Saw [A + N(abbrev. for "knight" in chess notation) ] **placed after**(after) SLOG(travail/painful or laborious effort). Defn: …/a motto.

Refuse stuff tossed back (4)

MARC

Definition: Refuse **Reversal of**(… tossed back) CRAM(to stuff/to completely fill, say, a container to overflowing). Defn: … of grapes or other fruit that have been pressed for winemaking. From: to this:

Not the first mistake made by fielder? (6,4)

SECOND SLIP

Definition: Not the first mistake,fielder Double defn: 1st: What you might call error/mistake number 2; and 2nd: A … in the cricket side that is fielding.

Member of group to project sounds (6)

BEATLE

Definition: Member of group **Homophone of**(… sounds) "beetle"(to project/overhang, as in "beetle-browed"). Defn: …, aka the Fab Four.

Left always needs time to gain influence (8)

LEVERAGE

Definition: influence L(abbrev. for "left") + EVER(always/at all times) **plus**(needs) AGE(a long period of time).

Story that could be seen as a clue to Times? (4,4)

NEWS ITEM

Definition: Story Reverse clue. The answer to the clue: **Anagram of**(**NEW**) **SITEM** is "Times".

Head of fish, with first bit cut off (6)

NAPPER

Definition: Head "snapper"(a seawater food fish) **minus its 1st letter**(with first bit cut off). Defn: Slang for one's ….

Entertainment as pretties become naughty … (10)

STRIPTEASE

Definition: Entertainment as pretties become naughty **Anagram of**(… become naughty) AS PRETTIES. Defn: Pretties (as a noun) doing naughty stuff. An &lit.

inducing this in fluster? (4)

LUST

Definition: inducing this **Hidden in**(in) "fluster". Defn: Entertainment in 21 across(…) might induce this.

Book that's turned up on radio (6)

VOLUME

Definition: Book,that's turned up on radio Double defn: 2nd: That which can be controlled up (or down) on a radio.

Study about indifferent male farmers (8)

DAIRYMEN

Definition: farmers DEN(a study/a room where when can be private) **containing**(about) [ AIRY(indifferent/treating something casually) + M(abbrev. for "male") ].

What makes hedges ultimately neater? (8)

STRIMMER

Definition: What makes hedges ultimately neater **Last letter of**(… ultimately) "hedges" + TRIMMER(neater/more orderly). Another &lit.

Green maybe inclined to talk too much about beginning of revolution (6)

GRASSY

Definition: Green maybe GASSY(inclined to talk too much about trivial matters) **containing**(about) **1st letter of**(beginning of) "revolution".

Percent lost came to be worked out in insurer's estimate (11,4)

REPLACEMENT COST

Definition: insurer's estimate **Anagram of**(… to be worked) PERCENT LOST CAME. Defn: … of the amount that can be awarded under an insurance claim.

Hard cheese? No thanks, when eating a vegetable! (7)

HARICOT

Definition: vegetable H(abbrev. for "hard", as with lead pencils) + "ricotta"(a soft Italian cheese) **minus**(No) "ta!"(thanks/thank you) **containing**(when eating) A.

Antwerp is unfortunately suffering from stormy weather (9)

RAIN SWEPT

Definition: suffering from stormy weather **Anagram of**(… unfortunately) ANTWERP IS.

Sound of soldier in pub (7)

LOGICAL

Definition: Sound GI(initials describing an American soldier) **contained in**(in) LOCAL(a pub/watering hole near one's office or home that one frequents). Defn: … in reasoning.

Crime of minister initially denied (5)

ARSON

Definition: Crime "parson"(a minister in the clergy) **minus ****its 1st letter**(initially denied).

Novice? One missing out with exploitative type in pocket (7)

TROUSER

Definition: pocket "tiro"(or "tyro"/a novice or beginner) **minus**(… missing out) "I"(Roman numeral for "one") **plus**(with) USER(an exploitative type/one taking advantage of others). Defn: Slang for …/to take or receive dishonestly.

Sense single man's suffering from futility (15)

MEANINGLESSNESS

Definition: futility **Anagram of**(… suffering) SENSE SINGLE MAN'S.

Putting a coat on, eg never shivering outside home (9)

VENEERING

Definition: Putting a coat on **Anagram of**(… shivering) EG NEVER **containing**(outside) IN(home, as in "I'll be home tonight"). Defn: …, that is, a coat of paint or varnish, say, on a surface.

Must I lie around without energy? Drugs could be the answer (7)

STIMULI

Definition: Must I lie around without energy? Drugs could be the answer **Anagram of**(… around) "Must I lie" **minus**(without) "e"(symbol for "energy" in physics). Defn: How you could describe drugs such as uppers, that give you energy to be up and about. Another &lit.

Person with needle and cotton maybe securing a thread? (7)

MEANDER

Definition: thread MENDER(one with needle and cotton could/maybe be mending something torn) **containing**(securing) A. Defn: To wind/weave your way, such as when threading your way through a series of obstacles.

Old city flourishing with distinguished artist (7)

PALMYRA

Definition: Old city PALMY(flourishing/prosperous) **plus**(with) RA(post-nominals for a member of the Royal Academy of Arts, a distinguished/honoured artist). Defn: An ancient city in present-day Syria.

Article placed on top of room unit (5)

THERM

Definition: unit THE(an article in English grammar) **placed above**(placed on top of, in a down clue) RM(abbrev. for "room"). Defn: … of heat.

Appetite returns in middle of jiu-jitsu lesson (4)

LUST

Definition: Appetite **Hidden in**(in middle) **reversal of**(returns) "of jiu-jitsu lesson".

Turns out partner is worried about society (10)

TRANSPIRES

Definition: Turns out **Anagram of**(… worried) PARTNER IS **containing**(about) S(abbrev. for "Society").

Arab members of militia ignoring old instructor, initially (6)

YEMENI

Definition: Arab "yeomen"(historically, members of the volunteer militia force raised from the civilian yeomanry/men who held small landed estates) **minus**(ignoring) "o"(abbrev. for "old") + **1st letter of**(…, initially) "instructor". Defn: …, specifically from Yemen.

Warning about ringing university hospital is rot (8)

LANGUISH

Definition: rot **Reversal of**(… about) SIGNAL(a warning/an indication of, perhaps, danger in a situation) **containing**(ringing) U(abbrev. for "university") + H(abbrev. for "hospital"). Defn: …/to decay, as a result of neglect.

River estuaries separated by grand locks (8)

RINGLETS

Definition: locks R(abbrev. for "river") + INLETS(estuaries/narrows strips of water from the sea or a lake into the land) **containing**(separated by) G(abbrev. for "grand"/a thousand dollars or pounds). Defn: … of hair.

Sculpture of extremely beautiful charging horse (6)

MARBLE

Definition: Sculpture **1st and last letters of**(extremely) "beautiful" **containing**(charging) MARE(a female horse). Defn: A … made from, well, marble.

Barbarian swine retreating across central plateau (4)

GOTH

Definition: Barbarian **Reversal of**(… retreating) HOG(a swine/pig, that's been domesticated) **containing**(across) **middle letter of**(central) "plateau".

Tree evolves hollow shoots (5)

FIRES

Definition: shoots FIR(an evergreen coniferous tree) + "evolves" **minus all its middle letters**(hollow).

That woman's written about a judge (4)

HEAR

Definition: judge HER(that woman's/third-party possessive pronoun for a female) **containing**(written about) A. Defn: … in a court of law.

More convinced by upper-class extortionist (6)

USURER

Definition: extortionist SURER(more convinced/certain) **placed after**(by) U(having the characteristics of the upper-class). Defn: …, eg. a moneylender who charges obscene/extortionate interest rates.

Note put pressure on teacher (8)

MISTRESS

Definition: teacher MI(a note in the sol-fa music scale) + STRESS(to put pressure/force on a material object). Defn: A (female) … who teaches a particular subject.

Cut power after city church is besieged by angry mob (4,4)

LAMB CHOP

Definition: Cut P(symbol for "power" in physics) **placed after**(after) { LA(abbrev. for Los Angeles, the American city) + [ CH(abbrev. for "church") **contained in**(is besieged by) **anagram of**(angry) MOB] }. Defn: A thick … of meat of lamb, around and often including a rib.

A state government department takes on women arbitrarily (6)

ANYHOW

Definition: arbitrarily A + NY(abbrev. for New York State in the USA) + HO(abbrev. for "Home Office", a government department in the UK) **plus**(takes on) W(abbrev. for "women").

Blessed types rejecting first electronic implants (10)

PACEMAKERS

Definition: implants "peacemakers"(blessed types who negotiate peace between conflicting parties) **minus**(rejecting) **1st letter of**(first) "electronic". Defn: … into the body to regulate the heartbeat.

Born and died in penury (4)

NEED

Definition: penury NEE(born, used in reference to a married woman's maiden name) **plus**(and) D(abbrev. for "died"). Defn: …/state of being poor/lacking in things.

Journalists ride bus to abandoned capital of Sumer (10)

SUBEDITORS

Definition: Journalists **Anagram of**(… abandoned) RIDE BUS TO + **1st letter of**(capital of) "Sumer".

Might run into nasty gents on outskirts of Teignmouth (8)

STRENGTH

Definition: Might R(abbrev. for "run", in cricket scores) **contained in**(into) **anagram of**(nasty) GENTS **placed above**(on, in a down clue) **1st and last letters of**(outskirts of) "Teignmouth".

Unrest starts to spread to common (6)

STRIFE

Definition: Unrest **1st letters, respectively, of**(starts to) "spread to" + RIFE(common/widespread).

Everyone is depressed by Bachelor Party (4)

BALL

Definition: Party ALL(everyone) **placed below**(is depressed by, in a down clue) B(abbrev. for "Bachelor").

Joint paper on British novelist making waves (8)

TSUNAMIS

Definition: waves T(a right-angled joint, in wood, say, shaped like the letter "T") + SUN(a British tabloid newspaper) **placed above**(on, in a down clue) AMIS(Kingsley or Martin, father and son British novelists). Defn: Giant ….

Large island where Latin quarter essentially provides alcohol (6)

LIQUOR

Definition: alcohol L(abbrev. for "large") + I(abbrev. for "island") + QUO(Latin for "where") + **middle letter of**(… essentially) "quarter".

Picking up standard membership fees for religious group (4)

JEWS

Definition: religious group **Homophone of**(Picking up) "dues"(standard membership fees, such as "union dues"). I suppose you might hear some people pronounce the "d" as "dj".