0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
As actor discontentedly simulated endless incest (7)	ARSENIC	Definition: As A[cto]R + anagram ("simulated") of INCES[t] – As is the chemical symbol for Arsenic
Beginning in Nice, tip poorly (9)	INCIPIENT	Definition: Beginning (IN NICE TIP)
The tragedy of some deaths (5)	MEDEA	Definition: tragedy Hidden in soME DEAths – Shaw played the title role
One way to score goal, say, with good skilful wing play (5,6)	HEDDA GABLER	Definition: play Homophone of "header" + G + ABLE + R (right – one of the wings in football etc) – as played by Fiona Shaw
Rolling Stones' second, then Radiohead? Flunkey wants Queen (9)	TRUNDLING	Definition: Rolling Second letter of sTones + first (head) of Radio + UNDERLING less ER
Bloomer affecting most of nuptial agreement, essentially (7)	PETUNIA	Definition: Bloomer Anagram of NUPTIA[L] + [agre]E[ment]
A third pic of one daughter looking humourless (2-5)	PO-FACED	Definition: looking humourless P (one-third of PIC) + OF + ACE + D
Rock and roller, in that context? (5)	STONE	Definition: Rock Double definition – I think "in that context" is because the Rolling Stones are a rock band
Actor from Turkey, old chap (9)	TRAGEDIAN	Definition: Actor TR + AGED IAN
Old man went first, accepting wife moved slowly (7)	DAWDLED	Definition: moved slowly W in DAD LED – the second time we've had "Old man" for father
21 breaking the law in foreign capital (5)	RUBLE	Definition: foreign capital B (Bishop) in RULE
Witnesses gangster leaving beauty salon (7-2)	LOOKERS-ON	Definition: Witnesses LOOKER (a beauty) + SALON less AL (Capone)
Joining together in greeting monarch (6)	YOKING	Definition: Joining YO (greeting) + KING
Young lad? He'll not need this! (6)	SHAVER	Definition: Young lad Double definition – a shaver is young man, presumably an ironic description, as he wouldn't need a shaver.. so "double" is perhaps being generous
Grisly death? C-in-C took the risk (7,2)	CHANCED IT	Definition: took the risk (DEATH C IN C)
Service mostly average? Press for example (4,5)	MASS MEDIA	Definition: Press for example MASS (church service) + MEDIA[N]
Play in Claret & Blue's last game (7)	ELECTRA	Definition: Play Anagram of CLARET+ [blu]E – another title role for Fiona Shaw
Behaves badly, having drink after do (4,2)	ACTS UP	Definition: Behaves badly ACT (do) + SUP
Golfer underclubs? Stupid mistake (7)	CLANGER	Definition: Stupid mistake C + [Bernhard] LANGER
One's bound to support black man going on board (6)	BISHOP	Definition: man going on board B + I'S + HOP (bound)
Initially named Wilson, actor recently playing rising swimmer (5)	PRAWN	Definition: swimmer Initial letters of Named Wilson Actor Recently Playing, reversed. Shaw was born Fiona Wilson
Exercise? One needs a bit (5)	DRILL	Definition: Exercise Double definition
Monster bar ends being trashed, of course (12)	BANDERSNATCH	Definition: Monster (BAR ENDS)* + NATCH ("of course"). The Bandersnatch made its first appearance in Jabberwocky – "Beware the Jabberwock, my son!/The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!/Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun/The frumious Bandersnatch!" – and is also mentioned in *The Hunting of the Snark
Fuming acidic compound in volume that's not very unstable (5)	OLEUM	Definition: Fuming acidic compound Anagram of VOLUME less V. Oleum is also know as "fuming sulpuric acud"
One of a pair at loggerheads, during break or earlier (5)	KOREA	Definition: One of a pair at loggerheads Hidden in breaK OR EArlier
Wife in top hat bizarrely – it's surely not seen alongside Panama (7)	TOWPATH	Definition: it's surely not seen alongside Panama W in (TOP HAT)* – presumably the Panama Canal doesn't have a towpath
Quarrel returning in pub, wrought among other things (6)	INWORN	Definition: wrought among other things ROW< in INN
Quiz one gets right in the end (5)	TRAIL	Definition: Quiz R in TAIL. Chambers gives "to quiz (informal)" as one of the definitions of "trail"
Make small hole in middle of gigot – it may show cooking time's over (4)	PING	Definition: it may show cooking time's over PIN ("to make a small hole in") + [gi]G[ot]
Party with free eats? Bind – ate elsewhere (3)	LIG	Definition: Party with free eats LIGATE less ATE
Source of dabs? Swimming organ disguised gender (9)	FINGER-END	Definition: Source of dabs FIN + GENDER
Crackpot, name unknown, joining a sect that's crazy (7)	NUTCASE	Definition: Crackpot NU (name unknown) + (A SECT)
Vehicle I loaded with rubles and goods for secret society (9)	CARBONARI	Definition: secret society R + BONA in CAR I
Potato store to bag for oneself (3)	HOG	Definition: Potato store Double definition
One leaving Asian country, heading east for a lark (4)	JAPE	Definition: a lark JAPAN less AN + E
Weighing machine returned two quarters short (in different ways) (5)	TRONE	Definition: Weighing machine Reverse of E (short for East) + NORT[H]
Advanced money including pound for unscripted stuff (6)	AD-LIBS	Definition: unscripted stuff A L in DIBS (money)
Where truth's initially revealed? Therein it lies – get weaving! (7)	INTWINE	Definition: get weaving 'T (it) in IN WINE – referring to the saying *in vino veritas
This with dud ha-has ruins hare and hounds – race discontinued (5)	RONNE	Definition: race discontinued A composite anagram – (RONNE DUD HAHAS)* = HARE AND HOUNDS. This word – an old form of "run" – felt familiar, and indeed it appeared (with a different clue, of course) in Azed 2393
Pawns metal ore after screening (5)	FINES	Definition: Pawns Two definitions (both rather obscure)
Two eggs all whipped up with art typical of the common folk (12)	RAGGLE‑TAGGLE	Definition: typical of the common folk (EGG EGG ALL ART)* – familiar to me from the folk song *The Raggle-taggle Gypsies
Simple means of measuring drifts – or wine list, possibly? (11)	BOTTLE-CHART	Definition: Simple means of measuring drifts Double definition
Coarse silk, pound off, I bagged (6)	DUPION	Definition: Coarse silk I in POUND
Sprung trap must be given priority over it? (6)	RAT-PIT	Definition: Sprung trap must be given priority over it TRAP* + IT, &lit – I thought this would be an old type of rat trap, but not quite: it's "an enclosure where rats are worried by dogs", as used in rat-baiting; so presumably the idea is that modern sprung traps are to be preferred to this
It's no good imbibing one Scotch once getting in the vicinity (5)	NYING	Definition: once getting in the vicinity YIN (Scots "one") in NG
Wrote off a tractor? (5)	TOWER	Definition: a tractor WROTE
Supply some microphones (4)	CROP	Definition: Supply Hidden in miCROPhones
E.g. Ajax, name for one of several in siege (5)	HERON	Definition: one of several in siege HERO (Ajax is one) + N – siege is a collective noun for herons
Tailor denied thanks about ill-fitting cuirass (5)	LORIC	Definition: cuirass Anagram of TAILOR less TA (thanks) + C (about) – at least I think so: the about=C seems to make it an indirect anagram; or does C mean "ill-fitting", with "about" indicating the anagram?
Small chestnut: prominent feature includes fashionable jockey's lid (9)	CHINCAPIN	Definition: Small chestnut IN + CAP (jockey's hat or "lid") in CHIN
Resonant 'Hic!' gone after treatment (7)	ECHOING	Definition: Resonant (HIC GONE)
Political theorist ranted wildly (6)	ARENDT	Definition: Political theorist RANTED* – Hannah Arendt, philosopher and political theorist.
Eavesdrop on women's gathering in outlandish gear (6)	EARWIG	Definition: Eavesdrop on WI (Women's Institute) in GEAR
One poet's to tidy up another (5)	DONNE	Definition: One poet's to tidy up DONNE is an infinitive form of "do", which can mean "tidy up" (as in "can I do you now, sir?"), used by Spenser, who is "one poet", and John Donne is the other
Democrat in a couple of states displaying passion for his country? (5)	ARDOR	Definition: passion for his country D in AR[kansas] + OR[regon] – "passion for his country" indicates the American spelling
Reservation not OK? You might hear it from bouncer (5)	BOING	Definition: You might hear it from bouncer BOOKING less OK
A bit of a twang, like one encountered in the Low Countries (5)	NASAL	Definition: A bit of a twang AS A in NL (Netherlands) – "nasal" has to be read as a noun: "a sound uttered through the nose"
Children leaving a lunch played around with part of chicken wing? (4)	ULNA	Definition: part of chicken wing Anagram of A LUNCH less CH – familiar as a bone in the forearm, but it can also be in a bird's wing
Sort of gun in story by right bugger? (8)	LISTENER	Definition: bugger STEN (gun) in LIE (story) + R- the "bugger" being one who uses a bug or listening device
Journalist's rubbish papers English rejected (6)	EDITOR	Definition: Journalist Reverse of ROT + ID (papers) + E
Guardian with head of state, one on horse? (4)	USER	Definition: one on horse US (The Guardian) + ER (the Queen – head of state), with "horse" being slang for heroin
24 boy taken in by devil is wicked (3-7)	ILL-ADVISED	Definition: 24 LAD in (DEVIL IS)
Support many steady moves to cross road (3,3,8)	TEA AND SYMPATHY	Definition: Support PATH in (MANY STEADY)
What Newgate is for Dickens (3,4)	OLD NICK	Definition: What Newgate is Double definition: Newgate is an old prison ("nick"), and both Old Nick and [the] Dickens are slang for the Devil. Not that it's relevant to the clue, but Newgate Prison is mentioned is several of Dickens's works
Inactive and without colour, having caught cold (7)	EXTINCT	Definition: Inactive C in EX-TINT (without colour) – inactive as in an extinct volcano
A learner admitted to periodical study in Oxford college (8)	MAGDALEN	Definition: Oxford college A L in MAG (periodical) DEN (study). Magadalen College, Oxford spells its name differently to Magdalene College, Cambridge, but both pronounce it "Maudlin"
Two lots of gold rings extremely tough for creator (6)	AUTHOR	Definition: creator T[oug]H in AU + OR (versions of "gold")
Small chap, following big road over the hill, ran badly (10)	MISMANAGED	Definition: ran badly M1 (big road) + S MAN + AGED (over the fill)
Outbreak of terror as hostage's grabbed (4)	RASH	Definition: Outbreak Hidden in terroR AS Hostage
I appreciate that Hollywood actor wants the Order of Merit (6)	THANKS	Definition: I appreciate that TOM HANKS less OM
Bow before short performance by American 2 (8)	ARCTURUS	Definition: 2 ARC (bow) + TUR[N] + US – a star (2 down) in constellation Boötes
Neglect odd parts of poem, lines showing blunder with words (8)	MISSPELL	Definition: blunder with words MISS (neglect) + odd letters of PoEm + LL
Ace intro for sales pitch (4)	STAR	Definition: Ace S[ales] + TAR (pitch)
For Les Bleus, a victory followed by day to chill out (6)	UNWIND	Definition: to chill out un ("a" in French) + WIN + D – a nod to France's recent victory in the World Cup (the French team is known as Les Bleus)
Simple man's abandoned without pity (7)	ARTLESS	Definition: Simple HEARTLESS less HE
Material for building awfully dreamy team up (5-3)	READY-MIX	Definition: Material for building DREAMY* + reverse of XI (eleven – team in cricket or football)
Note celebrities eschewing ostentation (10)	MINIMALIST	Definition: eschewing ostentation MINIM (musical note) + A-LIST
Saintly carpenter's record breaking banter (6)	JOSEPH	Definition: Saintly carpenter EP in JOSH – I don't know if this name is relevant to the theme
Girl with old party skirt's accompaniment for date? (4,6)	ANNO DOMINI	Definition: date ANN + O + DO + MINI
Person taking land cut kind of irrigation, by the way (8)	COLONIST	Definition: Person taking land COLONI[c] (irrigation – quack therapy) + ST (street, way)
Strike through ball from the wing, like a striker (5,3)	CROSS OUT	Definition: Strike through CROSS (a ball passed from the wing in football) + OUT (as someone on strike is). Note the "ROSS" hidden in this answer
Articles with weight showing what litotes is for TS Eliot? (7)	ANAGRAM	Definition: what litotes is for TS Eliot AN + A + GRAM, with an example of an anagram as the definition
Settle a match, perhaps (6)	ALIGHT	Definition: Settle A + LIGHT (match – as in "have you got a light?")
10 to do arithmetic with new technology? (6)	ADDICT	Definition: 10 ADD (do arithmetic) + ICT (Information and Communications Technology)
Thrash troublemaker's bottom in the open (4)	ROUT	Definition: Thrash [troublemake]R + OUT (in the open)
Money problem for the shoe-dwelling old woman? (9)	OVERISSUE	Definition: Money problem In the nursery rhyme, the old woman who lived in a shoe "had so many children she didn't know what to do", so she could be said to have over-issue. The word also means an issue of shares, banknotes, etc in excess of demand or ability to pay
Siege in the style of Farah? (5)	ALAMO	Definition: Siege A LA MO (Sir Mo Farah, athlete)
Bearing of player in the Iran-Contra affair (5)	NORTH	Definition: Bearing Double definition – the second referring to Oliver North
Tip of rhubarb? No, I crave tripe! (9)	CARNIVORE	Definition: Tip of rhubarb? No, I crave tripe Anagram of R[hubarb] + NO I CRAVE, with a kind of &lit definition, though speaking as a carnivore myself I have no desire ever to eat tripe again after the one occasion on which I ate it
Green Goblin initially breaks into Number 10 — Spider-man's unaffected by this (7)	VERTIGO	Definition: Spider-man's unaffected by this VERT (green) + G[oblin] in 10
Uri can't bend screen (7)	CURTAIN	Definition: screen (URI CAN'T)
Grown out of Nick Park's 1993 trousers? (5)	WRONG	Definition: Nick Park's 1993 trousers GROWN* – a helpfully explicit reference to The Wrong Trousers
Crew finally returns from Vietnam (3)	MAN	Definition: Crew It's reversed at the end (finally) of vietNAM
Country ignoring church, starting to descend into sin (5)	GREED	Definition: sin GREECE less CE + D[escend]. Greed is one of the Seven Deadly Sins
In the future city goes left, then sideways (7)	LATERAL	Definition: sideways LATER (in the future) + L.A. (city) reversed, i.e. going "left"
Stop fighting when armistice really starts (4-3)	POST-WAR	Definition: when armistice really starts STOP* + first letters of When Armistice Really, with the second part of the clue also providing the definition
Trouble in bed? Politician's nail breaks (9)	COMPLAINT	Definition: Trouble MP + NAIL* in COT
Continue with German sausage roll? Not I (5)	RENEW	Definition: Continue Reverse of WIENER, less I
Offers to capture rebel leader and those taking flight (5)	BIRDS	Definition: those taking flight R[ebel] in BIDS
Infamous doughnuts, with holes on the outside, eaten in North America (9)	NOTORIOUS	Definition: Infamous TORI ("dougnuts") in O O (holes), all in N US

As actor discontentedly simulated endless incest (7)

ARSENIC

Definition: As A[cto]R + anagram ("simulated") of INCES[t] – As is the chemical symbol for Arsenic

Beginning in Nice, tip poorly (9)

INCIPIENT

Definition: Beginning (IN NICE TIP)

The tragedy of some deaths (5)

MEDEA

Definition: tragedy Hidden in soME DEAths – Shaw played the title role

One way to score goal, say, with good skilful wing play (5,6)

HEDDA GABLER

Definition: play Homophone of "header" + G + ABLE + R (right – one of the wings in football etc) – as played by Fiona Shaw

Rolling Stones' second, then Radiohead? Flunkey wants Queen (9)

TRUNDLING

Definition: Rolling Second letter of sTones + first (head) of Radio + UNDERLING less ER

Bloomer affecting most of nuptial agreement, essentially (7)

PETUNIA

Definition: Bloomer Anagram of NUPTIA[L] + [agre]E[ment]

A third pic of one daughter looking humourless (2-5)

PO-FACED

Definition: looking humourless P (one-third of PIC) + OF + ACE + D

Rock and roller, in that context? (5)

STONE

Definition: Rock Double definition – I think "in that context" is because the Rolling Stones are a rock band

Actor from Turkey, old chap (9)

TRAGEDIAN

Definition: Actor TR + AGED IAN

Old man went first, accepting wife moved slowly (7)

DAWDLED

Definition: moved slowly W in DAD LED – the second time we've had "Old man" for father

21 breaking the law in foreign capital (5)

RUBLE

Definition: foreign capital B (Bishop) in RULE

Witnesses gangster leaving beauty salon (7-2)

LOOKERS-ON

Definition: Witnesses LOOKER (a beauty) + SALON less AL (Capone)

Joining together in greeting monarch (6)

YOKING

Definition: Joining YO (greeting) + KING

Young lad? He'll not need this! (6)

SHAVER

Definition: Young lad Double definition – a shaver is young man, presumably an ironic description, as he wouldn't need a shaver.. so "double" is perhaps being generous

Grisly death? C-in-C took the risk (7,2)

CHANCED IT

Definition: took the risk (DEATH C IN C)

Service mostly average? Press for example (4,5)

MASS MEDIA

Definition: Press for example MASS (church service) + MEDIA[N]

Play in Claret & Blue's last game (7)

ELECTRA

Definition: Play Anagram of CLARET+ [blu]E – another title role for Fiona Shaw

Behaves badly, having drink after do (4,2)

ACTS UP

Definition: Behaves badly ACT (do) + SUP

Golfer underclubs? Stupid mistake (7)

CLANGER

Definition: Stupid mistake C + [Bernhard] LANGER

One's bound to support black man going on board (6)

BISHOP

Definition: man going on board B + I'S + HOP (bound)

Initially named Wilson, actor recently playing rising swimmer (5)

PRAWN

Definition: swimmer Initial letters of Named Wilson Actor Recently Playing, reversed. Shaw was born Fiona Wilson

Exercise? One needs a bit (5)

DRILL

Definition: Exercise Double definition

Monster bar ends being trashed, of course (12)

BANDERSNATCH

Definition: Monster (BAR ENDS)* + NATCH ("of course"). The Bandersnatch made its first appearance in *Jabberwocky* – "Beware the Jabberwock, my son!/The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!/Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun/The frumious Bandersnatch!" – and is also mentioned in *The Hunting of the Snark

Fuming acidic compound in volume that's not very unstable (5)

OLEUM

Definition: Fuming acidic compound Anagram of VOLUME less V. Oleum is also know as "fuming sulpuric acud"

One of a pair at loggerheads, during break or earlier (5)

KOREA

Definition: One of a pair at loggerheads Hidden in breaK OR EArlier

Wife in top hat bizarrely – it's surely not seen alongside Panama (7)

TOWPATH

Definition: it's surely not seen alongside Panama W in (TOP HAT)* – presumably the Panama Canal doesn't have a towpath

Quarrel returning in pub, wrought among other things (6)

INWORN

Definition: wrought among other things ROW< in INN

Quiz one gets right in the end (5)

TRAIL

Definition: Quiz R in TAIL. Chambers gives "to quiz (informal)" as one of the definitions of "trail"

Make small hole in middle of gigot – it may show cooking time's over (4)

PING

Definition: it may show cooking time's over PIN ("to make a small hole in") + [gi]G[ot]

Party with free eats? Bind – ate elsewhere (3)

LIG

Definition: Party with free eats LIGATE less ATE

Source of dabs? Swimming organ disguised gender (9)

FINGER-END

Definition: Source of dabs FIN + GENDER

Crackpot, name unknown, joining a sect that's crazy (7)

NUTCASE

Definition: Crackpot NU (name unknown) + (A SECT)

Vehicle I loaded with rubles and goods for secret society (9)

CARBONARI

Definition: secret society R + BONA in CAR I

Potato store to bag for oneself (3)

HOG

Definition: Potato store Double definition

One leaving Asian country, heading east for a lark (4)

JAPE

Definition: a lark JAPAN less AN + E

Weighing machine returned two quarters short (in different ways) (5)

TRONE

Definition: Weighing machine Reverse of E (short for East) + NORT[H]

Advanced money including pound for unscripted stuff (6)

AD-LIBS

Definition: unscripted stuff A L in DIBS (money)

Where truth's initially revealed? Therein it lies – get weaving! (7)

INTWINE

Definition: get weaving 'T (it) in IN WINE – referring to the saying *in vino veritas

This with dud ha-has ruins hare and hounds – race discontinued (5)

RONNE

Definition: race discontinued A composite anagram – (RONNE DUD HAHAS)* = HARE AND HOUNDS. This word – an old form of "run" – felt familiar, and indeed it appeared (with a different clue, of course) in Azed 2393

Pawns metal ore after screening (5)

FINES

Definition: Pawns Two definitions (both rather obscure)

Two eggs all whipped up with art typical of the common folk (12)

RAGGLE‑TAGGLE

Definition: typical of the common folk (EGG EGG ALL ART)* – familiar to me from the folk song *The Raggle-taggle Gypsies

Simple means of measuring drifts – or wine list, possibly? (11)

BOTTLE-CHART

Definition: Simple means of measuring drifts Double definition

Coarse silk, pound off, I bagged (6)

DUPION

Definition: Coarse silk I in POUND

Sprung trap must be given priority over it? (6)

RAT-PIT

Definition: Sprung trap must be given priority over it TRAP* + IT, &lit – I thought this would be an old type of rat trap, but not quite: it's "an enclosure where rats are worried by dogs", as used in rat-baiting; so presumably the idea is that modern sprung traps are to be preferred to this

It's no good imbibing one Scotch once getting in the vicinity (5)

NYING

Definition: once getting in the vicinity YIN (Scots "one") in NG

Wrote off a tractor? (5)

TOWER

Definition: a tractor WROTE

Supply some microphones (4)

CROP

Definition: Supply Hidden in miCROPhones

E.g. Ajax, name for one of several in siege (5)

HERON

Definition: one of several in siege HERO (Ajax is one) + N – siege is a collective noun for herons

Tailor denied thanks about ill-fitting cuirass (5)

LORIC

Definition: cuirass Anagram of TAILOR less TA (thanks) + C (about) – at least I think so: the about=C seems to make it an indirect anagram; or does C mean "ill-fitting", with "about" indicating the anagram?

Small chestnut: prominent feature includes fashionable jockey's lid (9)

CHINCAPIN

Definition: Small chestnut IN + CAP (jockey's hat or "lid") in CHIN

Resonant 'Hic!' gone after treatment (7)

ECHOING

Definition: Resonant (HIC GONE)

Political theorist ranted wildly (6)

ARENDT

Definition: Political theorist RANTED* – Hannah Arendt, philosopher and political theorist.

Eavesdrop on women's gathering in outlandish gear (6)

EARWIG

Definition: Eavesdrop on WI (Women's Institute) in GEAR

One poet's to tidy up another (5)

DONNE

Definition: One poet's to tidy up DONNE is an infinitive form of "do", which can mean "tidy up" (as in "can I do you now, sir?"), used by Spenser, who is "one poet", and John Donne is the other

Democrat in a couple of states displaying passion for his country? (5)

ARDOR

Definition: passion for his country D in AR[kansas] + OR[regon] – "passion for his country" indicates the American spelling

Reservation not OK? You might hear it from bouncer (5)

BOING

Definition: You might hear it from bouncer BOOKING less OK

A bit of a twang, like one encountered in the Low Countries (5)

NASAL

Definition: A bit of a twang AS A in NL (Netherlands) – "nasal" has to be read as a noun: "a sound uttered through the nose"

Children leaving a lunch played around with part of chicken wing? (4)

ULNA

Definition: part of chicken wing Anagram of A LUNCH less CH – familiar as a bone in the forearm, but it can also be in a bird's wing

Sort of gun in story by right bugger? (8)

LISTENER

Definition: bugger STEN (gun) in LIE (story) + R- the "bugger" being one who uses a bug or listening device

Journalist's rubbish papers English rejected (6)

EDITOR

Definition: Journalist Reverse of ROT + ID (papers) + E

Guardian with head of state, one on horse? (4)

USER

Definition: one on horse US (The Guardian) + ER (the Queen – head of state), with "horse" being slang for heroin

24 boy taken in by devil is wicked (3-7)

ILL-ADVISED

Definition: 24 LAD in (DEVIL IS)

Support many steady moves to cross road (3,3,8)

TEA AND SYMPATHY

Definition: Support PATH in (MANY STEADY)

What Newgate is for Dickens (3,4)

OLD NICK

Definition: What Newgate is Double definition: Newgate is an old prison ("nick"), and both Old Nick and [the] Dickens are slang for the Devil. Not that it's relevant to the clue, but Newgate Prison is mentioned is several of Dickens's works

Inactive and without colour, having caught cold (7)

EXTINCT

Definition: Inactive C in EX-TINT (without colour) – inactive as in an extinct volcano

A learner admitted to periodical study in Oxford college (8)

MAGDALEN

Definition: Oxford college A L in MAG (periodical) DEN (study). Magadalen College, Oxford spells its name differently to Magdalene College, Cambridge, but both pronounce it "Maudlin"

Two lots of gold rings extremely tough for creator (6)

AUTHOR

Definition: creator T[oug]H in AU + OR (versions of "gold")

Small chap, following big road over the hill, ran badly (10)

MISMANAGED

Definition: ran badly M1 (big road) + S MAN + AGED (over the fill)

Outbreak of terror as hostage's grabbed (4)

RASH

Definition: Outbreak Hidden in terroR AS Hostage

I appreciate that Hollywood actor wants the Order of Merit (6)

THANKS

Definition: I appreciate that TOM HANKS less OM

Bow before short performance by American 2 (8)

ARCTURUS

Definition: 2 ARC (bow) + TUR[N] + US – a star (2 down) in constellation Boötes

Neglect odd parts of poem, lines showing blunder with words (8)

MISSPELL

Definition: blunder with words MISS (neglect) + odd letters of PoEm + LL

Ace intro for sales pitch (4)

STAR

Definition: Ace S[ales] + TAR (pitch)

For Les Bleus, a victory followed by day to chill out (6)

UNWIND

Definition: to chill out un ("a" in French) + WIN + D – a nod to France's recent victory in the World Cup (the French team is known as *Les Bleus*)

Simple man's abandoned without pity (7)

ARTLESS

Definition: Simple HEARTLESS less HE

Material for building awfully dreamy team up (5-3)

READY-MIX

Definition: Material for building DREAMY* + reverse of XI (eleven – team in cricket or football)

Note celebrities eschewing ostentation (10)

MINIMALIST

Definition: eschewing ostentation MINIM (musical note) + A-LIST

Saintly carpenter's record breaking banter (6)

JOSEPH

Definition: Saintly carpenter EP in JOSH – I don't know if this name is relevant to the theme

Girl with old party skirt's accompaniment for date? (4,6)

ANNO DOMINI

Definition: date ANN + O + DO + MINI

Person taking land cut kind of irrigation, by the way (8)

COLONIST

Definition: Person taking land COLONI[c] (irrigation – quack therapy) + ST (street, way)

Strike through ball from the wing, like a striker (5,3)

CROSS OUT

Definition: Strike through CROSS (a ball passed from the wing in football) + OUT (as someone on strike is). Note the "ROSS" hidden in this answer

Articles with weight showing what litotes is for TS Eliot? (7)

ANAGRAM

Definition: what litotes is for TS Eliot AN + A + GRAM, with an example of an anagram as the definition

Settle a match, perhaps (6)

ALIGHT

Definition: Settle A + LIGHT (match – as in "have you got a light?")

10 to do arithmetic with new technology? (6)

ADDICT

Definition: 10 ADD (do arithmetic) + ICT (Information and Communications Technology)

Thrash troublemaker's bottom in the open (4)

ROUT

Definition: Thrash [troublemake]R + OUT (in the open)

Money problem for the shoe-dwelling old woman? (9)

OVERISSUE

Definition: Money problem In the nursery rhyme, the old woman who lived in a shoe "had so many children she didn't know what to do", so she could be said to have over-issue. The word also means an issue of shares, banknotes, etc in excess of demand or ability to pay

Siege in the style of Farah? (5)

ALAMO

Definition: Siege A LA MO (Sir Mo Farah, athlete)

Bearing of player in the Iran-Contra affair (5)

NORTH

Definition: Bearing Double definition – the second referring to Oliver North

Tip of rhubarb? No, I crave tripe! (9)

CARNIVORE

Definition: Tip of rhubarb? No, I crave tripe Anagram of R[hubarb] + NO I CRAVE, with a kind of &lit definition, though speaking as a carnivore myself I have no desire ever to eat tripe again after the one occasion on which I ate it

Green Goblin initially breaks into Number 10 — Spider-man's unaffected by this (7)

VERTIGO

Definition: Spider-man's unaffected by this VERT (green) + G[oblin] in 10

Uri can't bend screen (7)

CURTAIN

Definition: screen (URI CAN'T)

Grown out of Nick Park's 1993 trousers? (5)

WRONG

Definition: Nick Park's 1993 trousers GROWN* – a helpfully explicit reference to The Wrong Trousers

Crew finally returns from Vietnam (3)

MAN

Definition: Crew It's reversed at the end (finally) of vietNAM

Country ignoring church, starting to descend into sin (5)

GREED

Definition: sin GREECE less CE + D[escend]. Greed is one of the Seven Deadly Sins

In the future city goes left, then sideways (7)

LATERAL

Definition: sideways LATER (in the future) + L.A. (city) reversed, i.e. going "left"

Stop fighting when armistice really starts (4-3)

POST-WAR

Definition: when armistice really starts STOP* + first letters of When Armistice Really, with the second part of the clue also providing the definition

Trouble in bed? Politician's nail breaks (9)

COMPLAINT

Definition: Trouble MP + NAIL* in COT

Continue with German sausage roll? Not I (5)

RENEW

Definition: Continue Reverse of WIENER, less I

Offers to capture rebel leader and those taking flight (5)

BIRDS

Definition: those taking flight R[ebel] in BIDS

Infamous doughnuts, with holes on the outside, eaten in North America (9)

NOTORIOUS

Definition: Infamous TORI ("dougnuts") in O O (holes), all in N US