0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Vacuous, happy folk in Maidenhead (5)	HYMEN	Definition: Maidenhead H[app]Y + MEN
Stubborn butcher met dire end (10)	DETERMINED	Definition: Stubborn (MET DIRE END)
Well-groomed male observed guards (5)	KEMPT	Definition: Well-groomed M in KEPT (observed, in the sense of carrying out or celebrating a practice). KEMPT, a variant of "combed" is usually found in its negative version "unkempt"
Sophisticated editor backing British broadcasting (8)	DEBONAIR	Definition: Sophisticated Reverse of ED + B + ON AIR
Making dopey son search for love online (8)	SEDATING	Definition: Making dopey S + E-DATING
Class describing imaginary number for Einstein? (6)	GENIUS	Definition: Einstein? I (the "imaginary" square root of minus one) in GENUS
Surviving by hiding in a tent abroad (6)	EXTANT	Definition: Surviving X (multiplication sign = by) in (A TENT)
Cries of old boy wearing socks inside out (4)	SOBS	Definition: Cries OB in S[OCK]S
Lascivious look of Bluebeard oddly vanishing (4)	LEER	Definition: Lascivious bLuEbEaRd with the odd letters removed
Six excluded from Liberal whip (4)	LASH	Definition: whip LAVISH less VI
Expert's light touch with cards (3,4)	DAB HAND	Definition: Expert DAB (light touch) + HAND (cards)
Hilarious person inhales small quantity in fashionable club (3,4)	HOT SPOT	Definition: fashionable club TSP (teaspoonful – small quantity) in HOOT (hilarious person – "he's a hoot!")
Very modest debtor might (5)	POWER	Definition: might A modest debtor might be someone who owes a penny, so a P-OWER
In dons' room fitter installs minute security device (9)	SCRAMBLER	Definition: security device SCR (Senior Common Room) + M in ABLER (fitter) – I'm not sure what the "In" is doing in the cryptic reading
What peripatetic philosopher does is obvious (6,2,6)	STANDS TO REASON	Definition: is obvious Double definition
Deplored coarse speaking (4)	RUED	Definition: Deplored Homophone of "rude" (coarse)
Secure almost the best bottles shown initially here? (4,4)	WINE LIST	Definition: here WIN (to secure) + S[hown] in ("bottled by") ELIT[E]
Abandon working at landing places, lacking energy (8)	JETTISON	Definition: Abandon JETTI[E]S + ON (working)
Pope is up for review (4)	PIUS	Definition: Pope (IS UP)* – name of twelve popes
Cheating a pair of zebras? (6-8)	DOUBLE-CROSSING	Definition: Cheating Double definition – anyone unfamiliar with the second meaning can find an explanation here
Artist, an apprehensive type? (9)	CONSTABLE	Definition: Artist Double definition – John Constable, artist, and a policeman, who might apprehend people
One is admitting personnel in pilgrim garb (5)	IHRAM	Definition: pilgrim garb HR (Human Resources, the department formerly known in businesses as Personnel) – a garment worn by Muslim pilgrims to Mecca
Risk loading silver on back of truck? There's no written record of it (4,3)	DARK AGE	Definition: There's no written record of it [truc]K + AG (silver) in DARE
By main road, refuse collector about to leave north country (7)	NAMIBIA	Definition: country Reverse of A1 (main road) + BI[N] MAN
Information from page in browser (4)	DOPE	Definition: Information P in DOE (deer, browsing animal)
Way in front, athlete 23 (3,6,6)	BOW STREET RUNNER	Definition: 23 STREET (way) in BOW (front, in a ship) + RUNNER (athlete)
Twosome avoiding initial exposure (6)	AIRING	Definition: exposure [P]AIRING
Neglect of French entertainer heartless (6)	DISUSE	Definition: Neglect DISEUSE (French entertainer) less its middle letter
Man trained with choir for musical (8)	HARMONIC	Definition: musical (MAN CHOIR)
Boy about to be put into cot made of wood (8)	TIMBERED	Definition: made of wood TIM + RE (about) in BED
Albanian pirates tortured refugee (11,4)	PALESTINIAN ARAB	Definition: refugee (ALBANIAN PIRATES)*. Is a Palestinian Arab necessarily a refugee?
Bad stuttering may show evidence of intelligent behaviour (6,4)	TURING TEST	Definition: evidence of intelligent behaviour STUTTERING* – the Turing Test was initially proposed by Alan Turing as a way of determining whether a machine could be said to think
Before month half over, Democrat killed racist? (10)	PREJUDICED	Definition: racist? PRE (before) + JU[ne] or JU[ly] + D[emocrat] + ICED (killed)
Wildly impetuous, missing note (you shouldn't have!) in soprano role (8)	VIOLETTA	Definition: soprano role VIOLE[N]T + TA (thanks, you shouldn't have). Violetta is the eponymous main character in Verdi's La Traviata
Powerful Catholic overwhelmed by weakness (8)	FORCIBLE	Definition: Powerful RC in FOIBLE
Only fellow not given a grave (6)	SOLEMN	Definition: grave SOLE M[A]N
Expand very large element (6)	OSMIUM	Definition: element OS (outsize) is the chemical symbol of the element Osmium, so it's "expanded" to give the full name
In poem, "maid" is "girl" (4)	EMMA	Definition: girl Hidden in poEM MAid
After a liaison's end, woman's heartache (6)	ANGINA	Definition: heartache A + [liaiso]N + GINA
Person stealing beer wants second drink (8)	PILLAGER	Definition: Person stealing PILS less ("wanting") S + LAGER
Split from sexually open-minded faction (6)	BISECT	Definition: Split BI[-sexual] SECT
Feature of some wines, eight swallowed in bar (5,3)	SCREW TOP	Definition: Feature of some wines CREW (as in a rowing eight) in STOP (to bar)
Tot learning it, one getting potty? (6-8)	TOILET-TRAINING	Definition: Tot learning it, one getting potty Anagram of TOT LEARNING IT + I (one), &lit
Great structure broadcaster's right to include in romp (10)	SKYSCRAPER	Definition: Great structure SKY'S (Sky TV etc) + R in CAPER
Mogul's capital of precious metal with Russia's banks (4)	AGRA	Definition: Mogul's capital AG (silver, precious metal) + R[ussi]A. Agra (formerly Akbarabād) was capital of the Mogul (or Mughal) empire for various periods in the 16th and 17th centuries
Assist with half of letters? (4)	ABET	Definition: Assist Half of alphABET
One like Napoleon artist gets to pose (10)	STRATEGIST	Definition: One like Napoleon (ARTIST GETS)
Danger's kept for one key war yarn (3,5,6)	THE GREAT ESCAPE	Definition: war yarn E.G. ("for one") in THREAT + ESCAPE (key on computer keyboard)
Sue's books, one with a scandalous ending (8)	LITIGATE	Definition: Sue LIT. (literature, books) + I + GATE (all-purpose suffix for a scandal, from Watergate)
Like film-maker's second try to knock out western (4,2)	TAKE TO	Definition: Like TAKE TWO less W, with a nicely inconspicuous definition
Why outspoken opportunist's put before court (8)	CHANCERY	Definition: court CHANCER + Y (homophone of "why")
Way a family member shows inactivity (6)	STASIS	Definition: inactivity ST + A SIS[ter]
Group's chiastic rhyme scheme (4)	ABBA	Definition: Group Double definition. Chiastic means "like a cross" (from the Greek letter chi), and its noun form chiasmus can mean the ABBA rhyme scheme (though I would have thought it would be more logical for it to mean ABAB)
Rabbit seen twice somewhere in France (7)	GASCONY	Definition: somewhere in France GAS (slang for "talk", as is "rabbit") + CONY (an actual live rabbit)
Drink to fortify for embellishment (8)	NECKLACE	Drink to fortify for embellishment (8) NECK (to drink) + LACE (fortify, e.g. a drink)
Mostly tinned pulp caterer put away (11)	INCARCERATE	Definition: put away IN CA[n] (most of "tinned") + CATERER
False information by great German chemist (6)	LIEBIG	Definition: German chemist LIE + BIG. Perhaps not the best-known of names, but Liebig is know as the founder of organic chemistry, among other achievements, and the clueing is clear
Motioning to leave EU? This is very revealing (1-6)	G-STRING	Definition: This is very revealing GESTURING less E and U
Awful ruling blocked by leading revolutionary (9)	REPUGNANT	Definition: Awful Reverse of UP (leading) in REGNANT (ruling)
MC Hammer set to star without old lady (11)	TOASTMASTER	Definition: MC MA (mother, old lady) in (SET TO STAR)
Poseur swots up about literary work (5,4)	SMART ALEC	Definition: Poseur TALE in reverse of CRAMS
Liking what a songwriter may do (8)	PENCHANT	Definition: Liking The songwriter may PEN a CHANT
20 lady's plump for a queen giving a twirl (7)	ELECTRA	Definition: 20 lady ELECT (to plump for) + reverse of (A R)
Wow! Current ruler drops ecstasy (7)	IMPRESS	Definition: Wow I (symbol for electric current) + [E]MPRESS
Mail penned by jerk is depressing (6)	TRAGIC	Definition: depressing RAG (newspaper, e.g. the Daily Mail – other rags are available) in TIC (an involuntary jerk)
M&S clothing very large for fashion star (4)	MOSS	Definition: fashion star OS (very large) in MS, giving the model Kate Moss
Tree yielding fruit he regularly cropped (6)	CERRIS	Definition: Tree CHERRIES less, separately, H and E – a similar construction is used in 22a
Launch hit like a rabbit punch (6)	NUCHAL	Definition: like a rabbit punch LAUNCH* – nuchal is the adjectival form of nucha, meaning the nape of the neck, where a rabbit punch might be delivered
Confined to clinic? I provide antibiotic (5)	CIPRO	Definition: antibiotic Hidden in cliniC I PROvide
Pioneering gardener losing trade in short supply (5)	SCANT	Definition: in short supply [TRADE]SCANT (John Tradescant the Elder, after whom the plant genus Tradescantia is named)
Inferior NFL team cancel (5)	SCRUB	Definition: Inferior NFL team Double definition: the first is "a team of inferior players..", though not necessarily in American Football, so this surely needs a "maybe" to avoid a definition-by-example
Marie's head a judicial warrant cut, for the mob? (5)	MAFIA	Definition: the mob M[arie] + A FIA[t]
Those entering society releasing 50% in advance payments (5)	ANTES	Definition: advance payments DEBUTANTES (who are, or were, "entering society")
Ancient tower Open University unearthed in pieces from town (5)	BROGH	Definition: Ancient tower BOROUGH less OU separately or "in pieces". See also 9a
Like archetypal copper, not even interrupting screamer (8)	PLODDING	Definition: Like archetypal copper ODD in PLING (an exclamation mark, aka "screamer")
Language institute attended by stupid taking in nothing (5)	IDIOM	Definition: Language I[nstitute] + O in DIM
The Seeds of Man, penned by Prosper Mérimée (5)	SPERM	Definition: The Seeds of Man Hidden in proSPER Merimée
Esmeralda, say, number one in girly sex appeal – stories will follow (6)	GITANA	Definition: Esmeralda, say G[irly] + IT (sex appeal) + ANA (stories). Presumably a reference to Esmerelda in The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, though she was kidnapped by gypsies rather than being born one
Old dotard pair, full of affection (6)	PLOVER	Definition: Old dotard LOVE in PR
Matthew, for one, got all flustered on the Paris commuter service (12)	TOLL-GATHERER	Definition: Matthew, for one (GOT ALL)* + THE + RER (the Parisian railway network Réseau Express Régional – as the rubric says, this abbreviation is not in Chambers. The disciple Matthew is described as a "publican", meaning a tax-gatherer
Asian marsupial, stubborn creature copper captured (6)	CUSCUS	Definition: Asian marsupial CU in CUSS
Some Angolan cash wife put into floral festoon (4)	LWEI	Definition: Some Angolan cash W in LEI – a former subdivision of the Angolan kwanza
Endless dispute, endless concupiscence – bad news for the fishing industry (7)	ARGULUS	Definition: bad news for the fishing industry ARGU[E] + LUS[T] – a destructive fish louse
Assassination in Japan might be seen to involve one (5)	NINJA	Definition: Assassination in Japan might be seen to involve one Hidden in assassinatioN IN JApan, &lit
Sorcery making one snigger audibly? (5)	WICCA	Definition: Sorcery Homophone of "whicker" (meaning to snigger) – not of "wicker", as I initially tried in vain to justify. Anyone whose speech is Rhotic, or does not have the Whine-Wine Merger, might complain, but in the Slip for the recent Spoonerisms puzzle, Azed said "RP needs to be the norm throughout, I think."
Hush money, thanks you get in form of cash (8)	CHANTAGE	Definition: Hush money TA in CHANGE
Rope leading horse that's increasingly lame? (6)	HALTER	Definition: Rope leading horse Double definition: for the second, as in "the halt and the lame"
Scot's drunk, an alcoholic tipple endlessly imbibed in town? (10)	CAPERNOITY	Definition: Scot's drunk A PERNO[D] in CITY. I was pleased to find this was correct after working it out from the wordplay (and a few crossing letters)
Star group unrestrainedly enveloped in applause (10)	CHARIOTEER	Definition: Star group ARIOT in CHEER
Coals lit, noise inside brazier (8)	SCALDINO	Definition: brazier DIN in COALS
It's very warm below prayer wall for this variety of spurge (7)	MANIHOT	Definition: variety of spurge MANI (a prayer wall in Tibetan Buddhism) + HOT
Strong snuff for female not naturally cool? (7)	FRAPPEE	Definition: not naturally cool F + RAPPEE (strong snuff)
Sort of plug to work inside skewer (6)	SPIGOT	Definition: Sort of plug GO in SPIT
Meat, a picnic requirement? (6)	HAMPER	Definition: picnic requirement HAM (meat) + PER ("a"as in "twice a/per week")
Figaro, say, one captivated by attractive girl (5)	DO-ALL	Definition: Figaro, say A in DOLL. A literal translation of "factotum", as Figaro is in The Barber of Seville, and the famous aria
Atila's accountable for destruction of this Bible version (5)	ITALA	Definition: Bible version ATILA* – this rang a bell, and it turns out to be a bit of an Azed favourite: I found four previous occurrences of it as an answer in the archives. No doubt its vowels make it a useful grid-filler
Ophelia's tears maiden's shown in repentance? (4)	RUME	Definition: Ophelia's tears M in RUE – Shakespearean form of "rheum", so as might be used by Ophelia in Hamlet (though it doesn't actually occur in the text, as far as I can see)
Sort of cups found in auctions? (7)	SADDLES	Sort of cups found in auctions? (7) DD (bra size, cups) in SALES
In the morning, Emma's left in plane (6)	JACKET	In the morning, Emma's left in plane (6) ACK EMMA (military slang for a.m.) less EMMA, in JET
Start of Eton's PE teaching (5)	ONSET	Definition: Start Hidden in ("of") etONS [P]E Teaching

Vacuous, happy folk in Maidenhead (5)

HYMEN

Definition: Maidenhead H[app]Y + MEN

Stubborn butcher met dire end (10)

DETERMINED

Definition: Stubborn (MET DIRE END)

Well-groomed male observed guards (5)

KEMPT

Definition: Well-groomed M in KEPT (observed, in the sense of carrying out or celebrating a practice). KEMPT, a variant of "combed" is usually found in its negative version "unkempt"

Sophisticated editor backing British broadcasting (8)

DEBONAIR

Definition: Sophisticated Reverse of ED + B + ON AIR

Making dopey son search for love online (8)

SEDATING

Definition: Making dopey S + E-DATING

Class describing imaginary number for Einstein? (6)

GENIUS

Definition: Einstein? I (the "imaginary" square root of minus one) in GENUS

Surviving by hiding in a tent abroad (6)

EXTANT

Definition: Surviving X (multiplication sign = by) in (A TENT)

Cries of old boy wearing socks inside out (4)

SOBS

Definition: Cries OB in S[OCK]S

Lascivious look of Bluebeard oddly vanishing (4)

LEER

Definition: Lascivious bLuEbEaRd with the odd letters removed

Six excluded from Liberal whip (4)

LASH

Definition: whip LAVISH less VI

Expert's light touch with cards (3,4)

DAB HAND

Definition: Expert DAB (light touch) + HAND (cards)

Hilarious person inhales small quantity in fashionable club (3,4)

HOT SPOT

Definition: fashionable club TSP (teaspoonful – small quantity) in HOOT (hilarious person – "he's a hoot!")

Very modest debtor might (5)

POWER

Definition: might A modest debtor might be someone who owes a penny, so a P-OWER

In dons' room fitter installs minute security device (9)

SCRAMBLER

Definition: security device SCR (Senior Common Room) + M in ABLER (fitter) – I'm not sure what the "In" is doing in the cryptic reading

What peripatetic philosopher does is obvious (6,2,6)

STANDS TO REASON

Definition: is obvious Double definition

Deplored coarse speaking (4)

RUED

Definition: Deplored Homophone of "rude" (coarse)

Secure almost the best bottles shown initially here? (4,4)

WINE LIST

Definition: here WIN (to secure) + S[hown] in ("bottled by") ELIT[E]

Abandon working at landing places, lacking energy (8)

JETTISON

Definition: Abandon JETTI[E]S + ON (working)

Pope is up for review (4)

PIUS

Definition: Pope (IS UP)* – name of twelve popes

Cheating a pair of zebras? (6-8)

DOUBLE-CROSSING

Definition: Cheating Double definition – anyone unfamiliar with the second meaning can find an explanation here

Artist, an apprehensive type? (9)

CONSTABLE

Definition: Artist Double definition – John Constable, artist, and a policeman, who might apprehend people

One is admitting personnel in pilgrim garb (5)

IHRAM

Definition: pilgrim garb HR (Human Resources, the department formerly known in businesses as Personnel) – a garment worn by Muslim pilgrims to Mecca

Risk loading silver on back of truck? There's no written record of it (4,3)

DARK AGE

Definition: There's no written record of it [truc]K + AG (silver) in DARE

By main road, refuse collector about to leave north country (7)

NAMIBIA

Definition: country Reverse of A1 (main road) + BI[N] MAN

Information from page in browser (4)

DOPE

Definition: Information P in DOE (deer, browsing animal)

Way in front, athlete 23 (3,6,6)

BOW STREET RUNNER

Definition: 23 STREET (way) in BOW (front, in a ship) + RUNNER (athlete)

Twosome avoiding initial exposure (6)

AIRING

Definition: exposure [P]AIRING

Neglect of French entertainer heartless (6)

DISUSE

Definition: Neglect DISEUSE (French entertainer) less its middle letter

Man trained with choir for musical (8)

HARMONIC

Definition: musical (MAN CHOIR)

Boy about to be put into cot made of wood (8)

TIMBERED

Definition: made of wood TIM + RE (about) in BED

Albanian pirates tortured refugee (11,4)

PALESTINIAN ARAB

Definition: refugee (ALBANIAN PIRATES)*. Is a Palestinian Arab necessarily a refugee?

Bad stuttering may show evidence of intelligent behaviour (6,4)

TURING TEST

Definition: evidence of intelligent behaviour STUTTERING* – the Turing Test was initially proposed by Alan Turing as a way of determining whether a machine could be said to think

Before month half over, Democrat killed racist? (10)

PREJUDICED

Definition: racist? PRE (before) + JU[ne] or JU[ly] + D[emocrat] + ICED (killed)

Wildly impetuous, missing note (you shouldn't have!) in soprano role (8)

VIOLETTA

Definition: soprano role VIOLE[N]T + TA (thanks, you shouldn't have). Violetta is the eponymous main character in Verdi's La Traviata

Powerful Catholic overwhelmed by weakness (8)

FORCIBLE

Definition: Powerful RC in FOIBLE

Only fellow not given a grave (6)

SOLEMN

Definition: grave SOLE M[A]N

Expand very large element (6)

OSMIUM

Definition: element OS (outsize) is the chemical symbol of the element Osmium, so it's "expanded" to give the full name

In poem, "maid" is "girl" (4)

EMMA

Definition: girl Hidden in poEM MAid

After a liaison's end, woman's heartache (6)

ANGINA

Definition: heartache A + [liaiso]N + GINA

Person stealing beer wants second drink (8)

PILLAGER

Definition: Person stealing PILS less ("wanting") S + LAGER

Split from sexually open-minded faction (6)

BISECT

Definition: Split BI[-sexual] SECT

Feature of some wines, eight swallowed in bar (5,3)

SCREW TOP

Definition: Feature of some wines CREW (as in a rowing eight) in STOP (to bar)

Tot learning it, one getting potty? (6-8)

TOILET-TRAINING

Definition: Tot learning it, one getting potty Anagram of TOT LEARNING IT + I (one), &lit

Great structure broadcaster's right to include in romp (10)

SKYSCRAPER

Definition: Great structure SKY'S (Sky TV etc) + R in CAPER

Mogul's capital of precious metal with Russia's banks (4)

AGRA

Definition: Mogul's capital AG (silver, precious metal) + R[ussi]A. Agra (formerly Akbarabād) was capital of the Mogul (or Mughal) empire for various periods in the 16th and 17th centuries

Assist with half of letters? (4)

ABET

Definition: Assist Half of alphABET

One like Napoleon artist gets to pose (10)

STRATEGIST

Definition: One like Napoleon (ARTIST GETS)

Danger's kept for one key war yarn (3,5,6)

THE GREAT ESCAPE

Definition: war yarn E.G. ("for one") in THREAT + ESCAPE (key on computer keyboard)

Sue's books, one with a scandalous ending (8)

LITIGATE

Definition: Sue LIT. (literature, books) + I + GATE (all-purpose suffix for a scandal, from Watergate)

Like film-maker's second try to knock out western (4,2)

TAKE TO

Definition: Like TAKE TWO less W, with a nicely inconspicuous definition

Why outspoken opportunist's put before court (8)

CHANCERY

Definition: court CHANCER + Y (homophone of "why")

Way a family member shows inactivity (6)

STASIS

Definition: inactivity ST + A SIS[ter]

Group's chiastic rhyme scheme (4)

ABBA

Definition: Group Double definition. Chiastic means "like a cross" (from the Greek letter chi), and its noun form chiasmus can mean the ABBA rhyme scheme (though I would have thought it would be more logical for it to mean ABAB)

Rabbit seen twice somewhere in France (7)

GASCONY

Definition: somewhere in France GAS (slang for "talk", as is "rabbit") + CONY (an actual live rabbit)

Drink to fortify for embellishment (8)

NECKLACE

Drink to fortify for embellishment (8) NECK (to drink) + LACE (fortify, e.g. a drink)

Mostly tinned pulp caterer put away (11)

INCARCERATE

Definition: put away IN CA[n] (most of "tinned") + CATERER

False information by great German chemist (6)

LIEBIG

Definition: German chemist LIE + BIG. Perhaps not the best-known of names, but Liebig is know as the founder of organic chemistry, among other achievements, and the clueing is clear

Motioning to leave EU? This is very revealing (1-6)

G-STRING

Definition: This is very revealing GESTURING less E and U

Awful ruling blocked by leading revolutionary (9)

REPUGNANT

Definition: Awful Reverse of UP (leading) in REGNANT (ruling)

MC Hammer set to star without old lady (11)

TOASTMASTER

Definition: MC MA (mother, old lady) in (SET TO STAR)

Poseur swots up about literary work (5,4)

SMART ALEC

Definition: Poseur TALE in reverse of CRAMS

Liking what a songwriter may do (8)

PENCHANT

Definition: Liking The songwriter may PEN a CHANT

20 lady's plump for a queen giving a twirl (7)

ELECTRA

Definition: 20 lady ELECT (to plump for) + reverse of (A R)

Wow! Current ruler drops ecstasy (7)

IMPRESS

Definition: Wow I (symbol for electric current) + [E]MPRESS

Mail penned by jerk is depressing (6)

TRAGIC

Definition: depressing RAG (newspaper, e.g. the *Daily Mail* – other rags are available) in TIC (an involuntary jerk)

M&S clothing very large for fashion star (4)

MOSS

Definition: fashion star OS (very large) in MS, giving the model Kate Moss

Tree yielding fruit he regularly cropped (6)

CERRIS

Definition: Tree CHERRIES less, separately, H and E – a similar construction is used in 22a

Launch hit like a rabbit punch (6)

NUCHAL

Definition: like a rabbit punch LAUNCH* – nuchal is the adjectival form of nucha, meaning the nape of the neck, where a rabbit punch might be delivered

Confined to clinic? I provide antibiotic (5)

CIPRO

Definition: antibiotic Hidden in cliniC I PROvide

Pioneering gardener losing trade in short supply (5)

SCANT

Definition: in short supply [TRADE]SCANT (John Tradescant the Elder, after whom the plant genus Tradescantia is named)

Inferior NFL team cancel (5)

SCRUB

Definition: Inferior NFL team Double definition: the first is "a team of inferior players..", though not necessarily in American Football, so this surely needs a "maybe" to avoid a definition-by-example

Marie's head a judicial warrant cut, for the mob? (5)

MAFIA

Definition: the mob M[arie] + A FIA[t]

Those entering society releasing 50% in advance payments (5)

ANTES

Definition: advance payments DEBUTANTES (who are, or were, "entering society")

Ancient tower Open University unearthed in pieces from town (5)

BROGH

Definition: Ancient tower BOROUGH less OU separately or "in pieces". See also 9a

Like archetypal copper, not even interrupting screamer (8)

PLODDING

Definition: Like archetypal copper ODD in PLING (an exclamation mark, aka "screamer")

Language institute attended by stupid taking in nothing (5)

IDIOM

Definition: Language I[nstitute] + O in DIM

The Seeds of Man, penned by Prosper Mérimée (5)

SPERM

Definition: The Seeds of Man Hidden in proSPER Merimée

Esmeralda, say, number one in girly sex appeal – stories will follow (6)

GITANA

Definition: Esmeralda, say G[irly] + IT (sex appeal) + ANA (stories). Presumably a reference to Esmerelda in *The Hunchback of Notre-Dame*, though she was kidnapped by gypsies rather than being born one

Old dotard pair, full of affection (6)

PLOVER

Definition: Old dotard LOVE in PR

Matthew, for one, got all flustered on the Paris commuter service (12)

TOLL-GATHERER

Definition: Matthew, for one (GOT ALL)* + THE + RER (the Parisian railway network Réseau Express Régional – as the rubric says, this abbreviation is not in Chambers. The disciple Matthew is described as a "publican", meaning a tax-gatherer

Asian marsupial, stubborn creature copper captured (6)

CUSCUS

Definition: Asian marsupial CU in CUSS

Some Angolan cash wife put into floral festoon (4)

LWEI

Definition: Some Angolan cash W in LEI – a former subdivision of the Angolan kwanza

Endless dispute, endless concupiscence – bad news for the fishing industry (7)

ARGULUS

Definition: bad news for the fishing industry ARGU[E] + LUS[T] – a destructive fish louse

Assassination in Japan might be seen to involve one (5)

NINJA

Definition: Assassination in Japan might be seen to involve one Hidden in assassinatioN IN JApan, &lit

Sorcery making one snigger audibly? (5)

WICCA

Definition: Sorcery Homophone of "whicker" (meaning to snigger) – not of "wicker", as I initially tried in vain to justify. Anyone whose speech is Rhotic, or does not have the Whine-Wine Merger, might complain, but in the Slip for the recent Spoonerisms puzzle, Azed said "RP needs to be the norm throughout, I think."

Hush money, thanks you get in form of cash (8)

CHANTAGE

Definition: Hush money TA in CHANGE

Rope leading horse that's increasingly lame? (6)

HALTER

Definition: Rope leading horse Double definition: for the second, as in "the halt and the lame"

Scot's drunk, an alcoholic tipple endlessly imbibed in town? (10)

CAPERNOITY

Definition: Scot's drunk A PERNO[D] in CITY. I was pleased to find this was correct after working it out from the wordplay (and a few crossing letters)

Star group unrestrainedly enveloped in applause (10)

CHARIOTEER

Definition: Star group ARIOT in CHEER

Coals lit, noise inside brazier (8)

SCALDINO

Definition: brazier DIN in COALS

It's very warm below prayer wall for this variety of spurge (7)

MANIHOT

Definition: variety of spurge MANI (a prayer wall in Tibetan Buddhism) + HOT

Strong snuff for female not naturally cool? (7)

FRAPPEE

Definition: not naturally cool F + RAPPEE (strong snuff)

Sort of plug to work inside skewer (6)

SPIGOT

Definition: Sort of plug GO in SPIT

Meat, a picnic requirement? (6)

HAMPER

Definition: picnic requirement HAM (meat) + PER ("a"as in "twice a/per week")

Figaro, say, one captivated by attractive girl (5)

DO-ALL

Definition: Figaro, say A in DOLL. A literal translation of "factotum", as Figaro is in *The Barber of Seville*, and the famous aria

Atila's accountable for destruction of this Bible version (5)

ITALA

Definition: Bible version ATILA* – this rang a bell, and it turns out to be a bit of an Azed favourite: I found four previous occurrences of it as an answer in the archives. No doubt its vowels make it a useful grid-filler

Ophelia's tears maiden's shown in repentance? (4)

RUME

Definition: Ophelia's tears M in RUE – Shakespearean form of "rheum", so as might be used by Ophelia in *Hamlet* (though it doesn't actually occur in the text, as far as I can see)

Sort of cups found in auctions? (7)

SADDLES

Sort of cups found in auctions? (7) DD (bra size, cups) in SALES

In the morning, Emma's left in plane (6)

JACKET

In the morning, Emma's left in plane (6) ACK EMMA (military slang for a.m.) less EMMA, in JET

Start of Eton's PE teaching (5)

ONSET

Definition: Start Hidden in ("of") etONS [P]E Teaching