0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Fast shift to get round what careless actress loses – being protective? (12)	FATHERLINESS	Definition: being protective HER LINES (what the careless actress loses) in FAST
Mixed drink? Idiot imbibes second (5)	TWIST	Definition: Mixed drink S in TWIT
It's nicer, mostly less windy – yet muffler's required (8)	SILENCER	Definition: muffler Anagram of NICER + LES[S]
As Caesar might say, 'I don't want to end up a ghost' (7)	EIDOLON	Definition: ghost Reverse ("up") of NOLO (Latin "I don't want" – the negative form of VOLO, as some may remember from school Latin) + DIE (end)
A bit of a bat, making 50 mid season? (6)	SPLICE	Definition: A bit of a bat L in SPICE (season) – part of a cricket bat
Some foreign cash is tiny change (6)	TIYINS	Definition: Some foreign cash (IS TINY)* – currency units in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The Izbek version is the least valuable coin in current circulation, so the wordplay is apt. (In fact it has dropped in value since that article was written, and is now about 10,800 to the UK penny)
Heathen, as of old, I am following heathen deity (5)	PANIM	Definition: Heathen, as of old PAN + I'M
A plain yogurt? One's paying outrageously with this yeast (6)	TORULA	Definition: yeast Composite anagram: (A PLAIN YOGURT)* = PAYING + TORULA
Fleece, essential for Arab as a nightshirt (5)	BASAN	Definition: Fleece Hidden in araB AS A Nightshirt
Had short massage? Pummel, more like (4)	DRUB	Definition: Pummel 'D (short for had, as in I'd) + RUB (massage)
Popular ideas, say, abandoned by centrists in particular (6)	PRISSY	Definition: particular Remove the central letters from P[opula]R I[dea]S S[a]Y
Who's running to announce starters of steak and kidney pie? (7)	ESCAPEE	Definition: Who's running Homophone of S K P – initial letters of Steak [and] Kidney Pie
Delight at me struggling with menus (9)	AMUSEMENT	Definition: Delight (AT ME MENUS)
Bit of blusher, without changing foundation (5)	BASIS	Definition: foundation B[lusher] + AS-IS (without changing)
Standing by waterfront, a pensioner shelters (2,3)	ON TAP	Definition: Standing by Hidden in (sheltered by) waterfrONT A Pensioner
Spooner's important pager, one working with constant buzz? (9)	BEEKEEPER	Definition: one working with constant buzz Spoonerism of "key beeper"
Monarchistic, seeing separation on the way (7)	FORKING	Definition: separation on the way A monarchist is FOR [a] KING
Stress about money's a first (6)	ACCENT	Definition: Stress A + C (circa, about) + CENT
Duck last couple of punches thrown by champ (6)	ESCHEW	Definition: Duck [punch]ES + CHEW (to champ)
These ad breaks that pilot has? (7)	HEADSET	Definition: that pilot has (THESE AD)
Irish sailors that'll take you to Bordeaux? (9)	CORKSCREW	Definition: that'll take you to Bordeaux The sailors might be CORK'S CREW
Fish and fruit, right to the end (5)	GAPER	Definition: Fish GRAPE with the R moved to the end. The Gaper is a rather ugly fish found off the Eastern coast of the US
Relative, once topped, that is buried (5)	NIECE	Definition: Relative I.E. in [o]NCE
Like panic disorders, making you troubled (2,1,6)	IN A PICKLE	Definition: troubled (LIKE PANIC)
Country discussed problem with hooters (7)	CATARRH	Definition: problem with hooters Homophone of 'Qatar'. "Hooter" is old-fashioned slang for the nose (I particularly associate it with Tony Hancock and Sid James)
Likely to lead on 51 for 0 in Twenty20? (6)	FLIRTY	Definition: Likely to lead on Twenty20 = 20 + 20 = FORTY, and change the O in that to LI
It might be used when you tie top of plastic sack (4-3)	PLAY-OFF	Definition: It might be used when you tie P[lastic] + LAY OFF (to sack workers)
One night in Paris, being from colder climes (5)	INUIT	Definition: being from colder climes I + NUIT (French 'night')
To make love, we let hips wiggle (5,4)	SLEEP WITH	Definition: To make love (WE LET HIPS)* – it should really be "make love to" to make the definition accurate, though that would spoil the (excellent) surface reading, of course
More boxing seems regularly to go to points at the end (7)	EXTREMA	Definition: points at the end Alternate letters of [s]E[e]Ms in EXTRA (more)
Guy about to propose, turning down starter (5)	CABLE	Definition: Guy C (about – again!) + [t]ABLE. Table (as a verb) is a famous example of a word that has opposite meanings in UK and US usage – to propose, and to remove from consideration
Puts back mail criminal opens (9)	POSTPONES	Definition: Puts back POST (mail) + OPENS
Guarantee criticism, whipping off top (6)	ENSURE	Definition: Guarantee [C]ENSURE
Brewer's brief career, with appropriate following (3,3)	TEABAG	Definition: Brewer TEA[R] (to go fast, career + BAG (steal, appropriate)
When raving, regret sun rising again (9)	RESURGENT	Definition: rising again (REGRET SUN)
Nearly attack over stream that's getting blacker (9)	CHARGRILL	Definition: blacker CHARG[E] + RILL. I think the defintion is "blacker", as in "thing that blackens"
Want to secure extension in pretty close (7)	WARMISH	Definition: pretty close ARM (extension) in WISH – close as in children's games: "you're getting warmer…"
Appeal when wicket's taken by Aussie, caught by bowler? (6)	HOWZAT	Definition: Appeal W in OZ, in HAT
Restyle mobile without expansion (7)	TERSELY	Definition: without expansion RESTYLE
Legendary medic on ice packs (6)	ICONIC	Definition: Legendary Hidden (packed) in medIC ON ICe. Describing something as iconic has become a much-overused cliché in recent years
Promise from Sunday Sport (5)	SWEAR	Definition: Promise S + WEAR (to sport)
Hands in this sticker (5)	POKER	Definition: Hands in this As verbs, "poke" and "stick" can be roughly synonymous; by extension so are "poker" and "sticker". And of course you have hands in the game of Poker
Job description (7)	PATIENT	Definition: Job description Cryptic defintion, Job (Old Testament character) being proverbially patient
Fish's journey across rough water (4,3)	TIDE RIP	Definition: rough water IDE (fish) in TRIP
Sweet face about to fall (7)	GUMDROP	Definition: Sweet Reverse of MUG (face) + DROP
Do like it when current partner's around (7)	IMITATE	Definition: Do like IT in I (symbol for electric current) MATE
Where old conservationist was keeping department ignorant (2,3,4)	IN THE DARK	Definition: ignorant D[epartment] in IN THE ARK (where Noah, an "old conservationist", was)
Why I 'ad to return (5)	YIELD	Definition: to return Y (why) + I + [h]ELD
Chap my boss made fun of (5)	GUYED	Definition: made fun of GUY + ED (Vlad's boss)
Surveyed scans A&E produced over 5d (9)	CANVASSED	Definition: Surveyed Anagram of SCANS + A&E + V (Roman 5) + D
Raises environment finally with Green politician (4,5)	JACK STRAW	Definition: politician JACKS (raises) + [environmen]T + RAW (green)
Readily accept return of an immature creature (3,2)	LAP UP	Definition: Readily accept Reverse of PUPAL (relating to a pupa – nothing to do with pups!)
Doctor's onto sickness in French port (5)	MALMO	Definition: port MAL (sickness, in French) + MO (doctor), to give the Swedish port
Minder — Terry initially absent from start of story (9)	CHAPERONE	Definition: Minder CHAPTER ONE (start of story) less T[erry]
Provided car with wing missing — dodgy in the extreme (7)	IFFIEST	Definition: dodgy in the extreme IF (provided) + FIEST[A] (Ford car)
Game Boy's a throwback (7)	TOMBOLA	Definition: Game TOM (boy) + reverse of A LOB
A scolded bishop ignored bubbly (7)	AERATED	Definition: bubbly A + [B]ERATED
Opening with work in disorder (7)	ENTROPY	Definition: disorder OP (work) in ENTRY
Springer regularly does it in a sticky situation (7)	POGOING	Definition: Springer regularly does it in a sticky situation I think this is an extended definition, referring to someone "springing" on a Pogo Stick
In college upset your old man (7)	TIMOTHY	Definition: man O in reverse of MIT (college) + THY
Scary country, Spain after revolution (5)	EERIE	Definition: Scary Reverse of EIRE + E
Entertainer? Time stripper got topless! (3,6)	TAP DANCER	Definition: Entertainer T + [L]AP DANCER
Well in credit, Henry invested (5)	THICK	Definition: Well in H in TICK (credit) – thick as in "having a very close, friendly relationship", or "thick as thieves"
Alarmed half of Tory ladies, I fancy, including these? (5,4,7)	DAILY MAIL READERS	Definition: these Anagram of ALARMED [to]RY LADIES I
Argued case for penny on petrol, sort of (7)	PLEADED	Definition: Argued case P + LEADED
His doesn't work — it's bent (9)	DISHONEST	Definition: bent (HIS DOESN'T)
Can one settle comfortably outside city? (9)	NEWCASTLE	Definition: city WC (toilet, can) in NESTLE
Island's very good on the surface — stick around! (7)	JAMAICA	Definition: Island A1 with JAM (stick) + CA (around) "on the surface"
Conservative strongly backing demand (4,3)	CALL FOR	Definition: demand C + ALL FOR (strongly backing)
Not requiring payment for singer (3,4)	PRO BONO	Definition: Not requiring payment PRO (for) BONO (singer)
Priest and sweetheart like sexy underwear in church office (7)	PRELACY	Definition: church office PRE + E (middle letter of swEet) + LACY
Speaking with sense is commended (5)	CITED	Definition: commended Homophone ("speaking") of "sighted" (with the sense of sight)
System meant to hold up West Country tourist (5)	EMMET	Definition: West Country tourist Hidden in reverse of sysTEM MEant – Emmet is a Cornish nickname for a tourist
Animal in a shopping centre turned round (5)	LLAMA	Definition: Animal Reverse of A MALL
Without preparation, extreme confusion surrounds Post Office (9)	EXTEMPORE	Definition: Without preparation PO in EXTREME
Protection used before the French strike fundamentalist part of America (5,4)	BIBLE BELT	Definition: fundamentalist part of America BIB (protection) + LE + BELT (to strike)
Relative enters sleepy land with person of no fixed abode (5)	NOMAD	Definition: person of no fixed abode MA in NOD. In Genesis, Cain "dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden" after killing his brother Abel, but as a modern expression "the land of Nod" just means sleep
Polish punishments extremely severe! (7)	FINESSE	Definition: Polish FINES + S[ever]E
Made box containing Europe's last old penny (7)	CREATED	Definition: Made E in CRATE (box) + D (penny, as in LSD)
Loosely state preference (5)	TASTE	Definition: preference STATE
Returned rotten fish (3)	DAB	Definition: fish Reverse of BAD
Area of swamp drained by expert (5)	SPACE	Definition: Area S[wam]P + ACE
Beans, maybe, grown from sticky stuff found in sediment (7)	LEGUMES	Definition: Beans GUM in LEES (sediment in wine or beer making)
Spouse in hospital visited by American musicians (7)	HUSBAND	Definition: Spouse H + U.S. BAND
Spot tail of largish New World mammal (5)	SLOTH	Definition: New World mammal SLOT (= spot as in an appointment) + [largis]H
"Satisfactory" secondary school getting Ofsted's fifth X at beginning of term (9)	COMPETENT	Definition: Satisfactory COMP[rehensive] + fifth letter of ofstEd + TEN + T[erm]
Popular report's shocking treatment for great thinker (9)	INTELLECT	Definition: great thinker IN + TELL (to report) + E[lectro] C[onvulsive] T[herapy]
Celebrity holding middle of musical instrument (5)	SITAR	Definition: instrument Middle letter of musIcal in STAR
Float up and down round large shapeless mass (4)	BLOB	Definition: shapeless mass L in BOB
A new boss upset surgeon (8)	SAWBONES	Definition: surgeon (A NEW BOSS)
Listened to chief with long hair (4)	MANE	Definition: long hair Homophone of "main"
Clergyman is always upset by "RIP" (8)	REVEREND	Definition: Clergyman Reverse of EVER + REND (to tear, rip)
Still using second strategy, not Conservative (6)	STATIC	Definition: Still S + TA[C]TIC
??? (10)	AMANUENSIS	??? (10) See preamble, as the saying goes
In favour of rug design (6)	FORMAT	Definition: design FOR (in favour of) MAT
Bow out of second-rate finale (4)	BEND	Definition: Bow B (send rate) + END
Lard deal (with 50% off) is disastrous (5)	FATAL	Definition: disastrous FAT (lard) + half of deAL
Spanish and English troops heard cry by very large swimmer (5,5)	SPERM WHALE	Definition: very large swimmer SP + E + RM (Royal Marines) + homophone of "wail"
First part of Dan Dare broadcast causing terror (5)	DREAD	Definition: terror D[an] + DARE
Huge creature found in shell of bizarre male insect? (8)	BEHEMOTH	Definition: Huge creature B[izarr]E + HE MOTH. It's the Old Testament again: Behemoth is mentioned once in the book of Job chapter 40, and is taken by some creationists (in the 11 across?) as evidence that dinosaurs lived at the same time human beings (and they also think Job is factual, instead of poetic fiction)

Fast shift to get round what careless actress loses – being protective? (12)

FATHERLINESS

Definition: being protective HER LINES (what the careless actress loses) in FAST

Mixed drink? Idiot imbibes second (5)

TWIST

Definition: Mixed drink S in TWIT

It's nicer, mostly less windy – yet muffler's required (8)

SILENCER

Definition: muffler Anagram of NICER + LES[S]

As Caesar might say, 'I don't want to end up a ghost' (7)

EIDOLON

Definition: ghost Reverse ("up") of NOLO (Latin "I don't want" – the negative form of VOLO, as some may remember from school Latin) + DIE (end)

A bit of a bat, making 50 mid season? (6)

SPLICE

Definition: A bit of a bat L in SPICE (season) – part of a cricket bat

Some foreign cash is tiny change (6)

TIYINS

Definition: Some foreign cash (IS TINY)* – currency units in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The Izbek version is the least valuable coin in current circulation, so the wordplay is apt. (In fact it has dropped in value since that article was written, and is now about 10,800 to the UK penny)

Heathen, as of old, I am following heathen deity (5)

PANIM

Definition: Heathen, as of old PAN + I'M

A plain yogurt? One's paying outrageously with this yeast (6)

TORULA

Definition: yeast Composite anagram: (A PLAIN YOGURT)* = PAYING + TORULA

Fleece, essential for Arab as a nightshirt (5)

BASAN

Definition: Fleece Hidden in araB AS A Nightshirt

Had short massage? Pummel, more like (4)

DRUB

Definition: Pummel 'D (short for had, as in I'd) + RUB (massage)

Popular ideas, say, abandoned by centrists in particular (6)

PRISSY

Definition: particular Remove the central letters from P[opula]R I[dea]S S[a]Y

Who's running to announce starters of steak and kidney pie? (7)

ESCAPEE

Definition: Who's running Homophone of S K P – initial letters of Steak [and] Kidney Pie

Delight at me struggling with menus (9)

AMUSEMENT

Definition: Delight (AT ME MENUS)

Bit of blusher, without changing foundation (5)

BASIS

Definition: foundation B[lusher] + AS-IS (without changing)

Standing by waterfront, a pensioner shelters (2,3)

ON TAP

Definition: Standing by Hidden in (sheltered by) waterfrONT A Pensioner

Spooner's important pager, one working with constant buzz? (9)

BEEKEEPER

Definition: one working with constant buzz Spoonerism of "key beeper"

Monarchistic, seeing separation on the way (7)

FORKING

Definition: separation on the way A monarchist is FOR [a] KING

Stress about money's a first (6)

ACCENT

Definition: Stress A + C (circa, about) + CENT

Duck last couple of punches thrown by champ (6)

ESCHEW

Definition: Duck [punch]ES + CHEW (to champ)

These ad breaks that pilot has? (7)

HEADSET

Definition: that pilot has (THESE AD)

Irish sailors that'll take you to Bordeaux? (9)

CORKSCREW

Definition: that'll take you to Bordeaux The sailors might be CORK'S CREW

Fish and fruit, right to the end (5)

GAPER

Definition: Fish GRAPE with the R moved to the end. The Gaper is a rather ugly fish found off the Eastern coast of the US

Relative, once topped, that is buried (5)

NIECE

Definition: Relative I.E. in [o]NCE

Like panic disorders, making you troubled (2,1,6)

IN A PICKLE

Definition: troubled (LIKE PANIC)

Country discussed problem with hooters (7)

CATARRH

Definition: problem with hooters Homophone of 'Qatar'. "Hooter" is old-fashioned slang for the nose (I particularly associate it with Tony Hancock and Sid James)

Likely to lead on 51 for 0 in Twenty20? (6)

FLIRTY

Definition: Likely to lead on Twenty20 = 20 + 20 = FORTY, and change the O in that to LI

It might be used when you tie top of plastic sack (4-3)

PLAY-OFF

Definition: It might be used when you tie P[lastic] + LAY OFF (to sack workers)

One night in Paris, being from colder climes (5)

INUIT

Definition: being from colder climes I + NUIT (French 'night')

To make love, we let hips wiggle (5,4)

SLEEP WITH

Definition: To make love (WE LET HIPS)* – it should really be "make love to" to make the definition accurate, though that would spoil the (excellent) surface reading, of course

More boxing seems regularly to go to points at the end (7)

EXTREMA

Definition: points at the end Alternate letters of [s]E[e]Ms in EXTRA (more)

Guy about to propose, turning down starter (5)

CABLE

Definition: Guy C (about – again!) + [t]ABLE. Table (as a verb) is a famous example of a word that has opposite meanings in UK and US usage – to propose, and to remove from consideration

Puts back mail criminal opens (9)

POSTPONES

Definition: Puts back POST (mail) + OPENS

Guarantee criticism, whipping off top (6)

ENSURE

Definition: Guarantee [C]ENSURE

Brewer's brief career, with appropriate following (3,3)

TEABAG

Definition: Brewer TEA[R] (to go fast, career + BAG (steal, appropriate)

When raving, regret sun rising again (9)

RESURGENT

Definition: rising again (REGRET SUN)

Nearly attack over stream that's getting blacker (9)

CHARGRILL

Definition: blacker CHARG[E] + RILL. I think the defintion is "blacker", as in "thing that blackens"

Want to secure extension in pretty close (7)

WARMISH

Definition: pretty close ARM (extension) in WISH – close as in children's games: "you're getting warmer…"

Appeal when wicket's taken by Aussie, caught by bowler? (6)

HOWZAT

Definition: Appeal W in OZ, in HAT

Restyle mobile without expansion (7)

TERSELY

Definition: without expansion RESTYLE

Legendary medic on ice packs (6)

ICONIC

Definition: Legendary Hidden (packed) in medIC ON ICe. Describing something as iconic has become a much-overused cliché in recent years

Promise from Sunday Sport (5)

SWEAR

Definition: Promise S + WEAR (to sport)

Hands in this sticker (5)

POKER

Definition: Hands in this As verbs, "poke" and "stick" can be roughly synonymous; by extension so are "poker" and "sticker". And of course you have hands in the game of Poker

Job description (7)

PATIENT

Definition: Job description Cryptic defintion, Job (Old Testament character) being proverbially patient

Fish's journey across rough water (4,3)

TIDE RIP

Definition: rough water IDE (fish) in TRIP

Sweet face about to fall (7)

GUMDROP

Definition: Sweet Reverse of MUG (face) + DROP

Do like it when current partner's around (7)

IMITATE

Definition: Do like IT in I (symbol for electric current) MATE

Where old conservationist was keeping department ignorant (2,3,4)

IN THE DARK

Definition: ignorant D[epartment] in IN THE ARK (where Noah, an "old conservationist", was)

Why I 'ad to return (5)

YIELD

Definition: to return Y (why) + I + [h]ELD

Chap my boss made fun of (5)

GUYED

Definition: made fun of GUY + ED (Vlad's boss)

Surveyed scans A&E produced over 5d (9)

CANVASSED

Definition: Surveyed Anagram of SCANS + A&E + V (Roman 5) + D

Raises environment finally with Green politician (4,5)

JACK STRAW

Definition: politician JACKS (raises) + [environmen]T + RAW (green)

Readily accept return of an immature creature (3,2)

LAP UP

Definition: Readily accept Reverse of PUPAL (relating to a pupa – nothing to do with pups!)

Doctor's onto sickness in French port (5)

MALMO

Definition: port MAL (sickness, in French) + MO (doctor), to give the *Swedish* port

Minder — Terry initially absent from start of story (9)

CHAPERONE

Definition: Minder CHAPTER ONE (start of story) less T[erry]

Provided car with wing missing — dodgy in the extreme (7)

IFFIEST

Definition: dodgy in the extreme IF (provided) + FIEST[A] (Ford car)

Game Boy's a throwback (7)

TOMBOLA

Definition: Game TOM (boy) + reverse of A LOB

A scolded bishop ignored bubbly (7)

AERATED

Definition: bubbly A + [B]ERATED

Opening with work in disorder (7)

ENTROPY

Definition: disorder OP (work) in ENTRY

Springer regularly does it in a sticky situation (7)

POGOING

Definition: Springer regularly does it in a sticky situation I think this is an extended definition, referring to someone "springing" on a Pogo Stick

In college upset your old man (7)

TIMOTHY

Definition: man O in reverse of MIT (college) + THY

Scary country, Spain after revolution (5)

EERIE

Definition: Scary Reverse of EIRE + E

Entertainer? Time stripper got topless! (3,6)

TAP DANCER

Definition: Entertainer T + [L]AP DANCER

Well in credit, Henry invested (5)

THICK

Definition: Well in H in TICK (credit) – thick as in "having a very close, friendly relationship", or "thick as thieves"

Alarmed half of Tory ladies, I fancy, including these? (5,4,7)

DAILY MAIL READERS

Definition: these Anagram of ALARMED [to]RY LADIES I

Argued case for penny on petrol, sort of (7)

PLEADED

Definition: Argued case P + LEADED

His doesn't work — it's bent (9)

DISHONEST

Definition: bent (HIS DOESN'T)

Can one settle comfortably outside city? (9)

NEWCASTLE

Definition: city WC (toilet, can) in NESTLE

Island's very good on the surface — stick around! (7)

JAMAICA

Definition: Island A1 with JAM (stick) + CA (around) "on the surface"

Conservative strongly backing demand (4,3)

CALL FOR

Definition: demand C + ALL FOR (strongly backing)

Not requiring payment for singer (3,4)

PRO BONO

Definition: Not requiring payment PRO (for) BONO (singer)

Priest and sweetheart like sexy underwear in church office (7)

PRELACY

Definition: church office PRE + E (middle letter of swEet) + LACY

Speaking with sense is commended (5)

CITED

Definition: commended Homophone ("speaking") of "sighted" (with the sense of sight)

System meant to hold up West Country tourist (5)

EMMET

Definition: West Country tourist Hidden in reverse of sysTEM MEant – Emmet is a Cornish nickname for a tourist

Animal in a shopping centre turned round (5)

LLAMA

Definition: Animal Reverse of A MALL

Without preparation, extreme confusion surrounds Post Office (9)

EXTEMPORE

Definition: Without preparation PO in EXTREME

Protection used before the French strike fundamentalist part of America (5,4)

BIBLE BELT

Definition: fundamentalist part of America BIB (protection) + LE + BELT (to strike)

Relative enters sleepy land with person of no fixed abode (5)

NOMAD

Definition: person of no fixed abode MA in NOD. In Genesis, Cain "dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden" after killing his brother Abel, but as a modern expression "the land of Nod" just means sleep

Polish punishments extremely severe! (7)

FINESSE

Definition: Polish FINES + S[ever]E

Made box containing Europe's last old penny (7)

CREATED

Definition: Made E in CRATE (box) + D (penny, as in LSD)

Loosely state preference (5)

TASTE

Definition: preference STATE

Returned rotten fish (3)

DAB

Definition: fish Reverse of BAD

Area of swamp drained by expert (5)

SPACE

Definition: Area S[wam]P + ACE

Beans, maybe, grown from sticky stuff found in sediment (7)

LEGUMES

Definition: Beans GUM in LEES (sediment in wine or beer making)

Spouse in hospital visited by American musicians (7)

HUSBAND

Definition: Spouse H + U.S. BAND

Spot tail of largish New World mammal (5)

SLOTH

Definition: New World mammal SLOT (= spot as in an appointment) + [largis]H

"Satisfactory" secondary school getting Ofsted's fifth X at beginning of term (9)

COMPETENT

Definition: Satisfactory COMP[rehensive] + fifth letter of ofstEd + TEN + T[erm]

Popular report's shocking treatment for great thinker (9)

INTELLECT

Definition: great thinker IN + TELL (to report) + E[lectro] C[onvulsive] T[herapy]

Celebrity holding middle of musical instrument (5)

SITAR

Definition: instrument Middle letter of musIcal in STAR

Float up and down round large shapeless mass (4)

BLOB

Definition: shapeless mass L in BOB

A new boss upset surgeon (8)

SAWBONES

Definition: surgeon (A NEW BOSS)

Listened to chief with long hair (4)

MANE

Definition: long hair Homophone of "main"

Clergyman is always upset by "RIP" (8)

REVEREND

Definition: Clergyman Reverse of EVER + REND (to tear, rip)

Still using second strategy, not Conservative (6)

STATIC

Definition: Still S + TA[C]TIC

??? (10)

AMANUENSIS

??? (10) *See preamble*, as the saying goes

In favour of rug design (6)

FORMAT

Definition: design FOR (in favour of) MAT

Bow out of second-rate finale (4)

BEND

Definition: Bow B (send rate) + END

Lard deal (with 50% off) is disastrous (5)

FATAL

Definition: disastrous FAT (lard) + half of deAL

Spanish and English troops heard cry by very large swimmer (5,5)

SPERM WHALE

Definition: very large swimmer SP + E + RM (Royal Marines) + homophone of "wail"

First part of Dan Dare broadcast causing terror (5)

DREAD

Definition: terror D[an] + DARE

Huge creature found in shell of bizarre male insect? (8)

BEHEMOTH

Definition: Huge creature B[izarr]E + HE MOTH. It's the Old Testament again: Behemoth is mentioned once in the book of Job chapter 40, and is taken by some creationists (in the 11 across?) as evidence that dinosaurs lived at the same time human beings (and they also think Job is factual, instead of poetic fiction)