0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Feeling smart? Make an offer (6)	TENDER	Definition: Feeling smart Double definition
Real sexist entertainer on the inside (8)	EXISTENT	Definition: Real Hidden in sEXIST ENTertainer
Passage from never-ending TV soap about bar (8)	CORRIDOR	Definition: Passage CORRI[E] (nickname of Coronation Street) + reverse of ROD (bar)
Exotic insect is most particular (6)	NICEST	Definition: most particular INSECT
Small person failed MOT — having to seek a lift (3,5)	TOM THUMB	Definition: Small person MOT* + THUMB (to hitch-hike, seek a lift)
Takes an exam to include finished exercises (3-3)	SIT-UPS	Definition: exercises UP (finished) in SITS (takes an exam)
Before extra time starts, Mark gets card (6)	TICKET	Definition: card TICK (mark) + E[xtra] T[ime]
Doctor finally intervenes in chronic ailment, ending in death (8)	TERMINAL	Definition: ending in death [docto]R in AILMENT
Takes back gun (4)	STEN	Definition: gun Reverse of NETS
In general, bustling court figure (9)	RECTANGLE	Definition: figure CT in GENERAL
Aim to be an instructor (5)	TRAIN	Definition: Aim Double definition – as in "train one's sights" for the first
Doctor eating every last bit, given a recipe for duck (7)	MALLARD	Definition: duck ALL (every last bit) + A R in M.D. The Mallard, as well as being a type of duck, was also the fastest ever steam locomotive
European flower market's ultimate sugar confection? No resistance! (5)	TAGUS	Definition: European flower [marke]T + SUGAR* less R
Secure plum in cases (7)	BAGGAGE	Definition: cases BAG + GAGE (plum)
Trip when dancing on cruise, having snatched a kiss (9)	EXCURSION	Definition: Trip X (kiss) in (ON CRUISE)
Load carried by father figure (7)	FREIGHT	Definition: Load carried FR + EIGHT
Implicit quality of public units (9)	OVERTONES	Definition: Implicit quality OVERT + ONES
Dismal scientist: "Dynamite to incomes!" (9)	ECONOMIST	Definition: Dismal scientist (TO INCOMES)* – economics was described by Thomas Carlyle as "the dismal science" (in contrast to the "gay science" of song and verse writing)
Flag — Reuters wrong about dates (3,6)	RED DUSTER	Definition: Flag D D (two Dates) in REUTERS – slang for the Red Ensign
Nasty tear on doll (snapped again?) (7)	RETAKEN	Definition: snapped again TEAR* + KEN (doll – Barbie's boyfriend); "snapped" = "taken" as a photograph
Descriptive of K-9's pinch of the ear (7)	ROBOTIC	Definition: Descriptive of K-9 ROB (to steal, pinch) + OTIC (of the ear) – K-9 was a robot dog in *Doctor Who
Press piece's a bit of a plant? (7)	CUTTING	Definition: Press piece Double definition
One's captivated by star-shaped feature of fluted column (5)	STRIA	Definition: feature of fluted column I in STAR – a stria is "one of the fillets [i.e. small spaces or bands] between the flutes of columns", perhaps more familiar in the adjective "striated"
Penny, dead dishy thing (5)	PLATE	Definition: dishy thing P + LATE – a plate is a kind of dish, so a "dishy thing"
Trump, perhaps, to slip up badly (8)	POPULIST	Definition: Trump, perhaps (TO SLIP UP)* – the president continues to prove useful to setters…
Exerts heavy pressure on joint — shortly notices (6)	KNEADS	Definition: Exerts heavy pressure on KNE[E] (joint) + ADS (notices)
House in miniature around back of Hyde Park (8)	YOSEMITE	Definition: Park SEMI (semi-detached housed) in reverse of TOY, plus [Hyd]E
Haddock, part of it with bread (6)	FINNAN	Definition: Haddock FIN (part of a fish) + NAN (bread)
King's ambassador fine, say, following commotion (4,2,5)	HEAD OF STATE	Definition: King HE (His Excellency) + ADO (commotion) + F[ine] + STATE (say)
Gun, one produced on stage … (5)	PIECE	Definition: Gun Double definition – a stage play can be called a piece
… an animal with no lines stars (9)	ANDROMEDA	Definition: stars AN + DROMEDARY less RY (railway; lines). The Andromeda galaxy is relatively close to our own, at a mere 2.5 million light years away
A number shared meal (3,3,3)	TEA FOR TWO	Definition: A number Double definition – famous song ("number"), originally from the musical No, No, Nanette. Not particularly exciting as a DD, I must say
Foolish to eat a bit of radicchio leaf (5)	FROND	Definition: leaf R[adicchio] in FOND (foolish)
Play, with this? (1,5,5)	A DOLL’S HOUSE	Definition: Play Double definition – it's a play by Ibsen, and a doll's house can be played with
Chemist's position serious (6)	LIEBIG	Definition: Chemist LIE (position) + BIG (serious). This German chemist came up in a Picaroon puzzle that I blogged last August
Forty-eight hours backchat that's boring? (4,4)	YADA YADA	Definition: chat that's boring Reverse of A DAY twice. American expression for tedious talk. Chambers only gives it in the ~~36~~72-hour form as "yada yada yada"
Representative comes out of bin cleaner (6)	DUSTER	Definition: cleaner DUMPSTER less MP
Relax, supplying energy for one in grief (2-6)	DE-STRESS	Definition: Relax DISTRESS with E replacing I
Film course for one with a problem (10)	PSYCHOPATH	Definition: one with a problem PSYCHO (film) + PATH (course). Rather weakened, I think, by the fact the name of the film is just a shortening of the full word
Goodbye to the outside, going in to die in alley (10)	PASSAGEWAY	Definition: alley The "outside" of G[oodby]E in PASS AWAY (die)
Waiting period as posh car collects bachelor (5)	LIMBO	Definition: Waiting period B in LIMO
One's group of rebels relaxed at first in comfort (12)	SATISFACTION	Definition: comfort SAT (relaxed) + I'S (one's) + FACTION
Sounds of foxtrot that are heard in the wings (6,3)	NOISES OFF	Definition: that are heard in the wings NOISES OF F[oxtrot]. Again, I don't like the double use of "noises" in cryptic reading and definition
Family member is cow (not daughter) (4)	AUNT	Definition: Family DAUNT less D
Suggesting Louis XIV collapsed? (4)	SUNK	Definition: collapsed Louis XIV was known as Le Roi Soleil or SUN K[ing]
Fussy car rental (4,2,6)	HARD TO PLEASE	Definition: Fussy HARD-TOP (car) + LEASE
Get people back into perpetual strife? Nothing in it (10)	REPOPULATE	Definition: Get people back O in PERPETUAL
From barn, as horse led out, they steer (10)	HANDLEBARS	Definition: they steer Anagram of BARN AS H[orse] LED
Judge's last case bringing back memories (9)	EVOCATIVE	Definition: bringing back memories [judg]E + VOCATIVE (grammatical case)
Almost home, where this is? (5)	HEART	Definition: where this is HEART[H], referring to the proverb "home is where the heart is"
Succeeded with hat, lost it with feet? (4)	SLID	Definition: lost it with feet S[ucceeded] + LID (hat). If you slide you could perhaps be said to lose it with your feet
Man's house and college spoken of (4)	KEYS	Definition: Man's house Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, is usually known as just Caius, pronounced "keys". The House of Keys is part of the parliament of the Isle of Man. The intersection of this with LIEBIG in this rather isolated corner might cause a few problems, with three bits of "general knowledge" required
Beetle to traumatise backward scholar (6)	SCARAB	Definition: Beetle SCAR (traumatise) + reverse of B.A.
Make a mistake with commission (6)	ERRAND	Definition: commission ERR + AND (with)
Charlie inclines to abdominal pain (6)	CRAMPS	Definition: abdominal pain C + RAMPS
Team cuts lease for occupier (8)	RESIDENT	Definition: occupier SIDE (team) in RENT (lease)
Does one river meet another? (4)	DEER	Definition: Does DEE (river) + R[iver]; does as in female deer
Thought to be against partiality of the left (10)	CONSIDERED	Definition: Thought CON (against) + SIDE (partiality) + RED (of the left)
Wind down temper when the game is safe (5,6)	CLOSE SEASON	Definition: when the game is safe CLOSE (to wind down) + SEASON (to temper). Game animals are safe from hunters in the close season
Winger is an Oxford player with courage (10)	BLUEBOTTLE	Definition: Winger BLUE (one playing a sport for (e.g.) Oxford University) + BOTTLE (courage)
Illicit drugs found in storage area (4)	GEAR	Definition: Illicit drugs Hidden (appropriately enough) in storaGE ARea
Writer is to wallow in drink (8)	TROLLOPE	Definition: Writer ROLL in TOPE (to drink)
Mean to entertain Indian poet (6)	PINDAR	Definition: poet IND[ian] in PAR (average, mean). Pindar was a ancient Greek poet
Insecurity makes director fret (6)	DANGER	Definition: Insecurity D[irector] + ANGER (Chambers has "to vex or irritate")
Wrongly aspire to approbation (6)	PRAISE	Definition: approbation ASPIRE
Something soothing uttered in royal retreat (8)	BALMORAL	Definition: royal retreat BALM (something soothing)+ ORAL (spoken, uttered)
Prevents Bill making wine (6)	BARSAC	Definition: wine BARS (prevents) + AC (account, bill)
Unfaithful lover is scared off (8)	CRESSIDA	Definition: Unfaithful lover (IS SCARED)* – Cressida is an archetypal unfaithful lover, perhaps best known from Shakespeare's *Troilus and Cressida
Women confuse totter (6)	WADDLE	Definition: totter W + ADDLE
Mortar used for levelling a long passage (6)	SCREED	Definition: Mortar used for levelling Double definition: "A layer of mortar finishing off the surface of a floor" and, perhaps more familiarly, "A long passage, spoken or written"
Silly fool is to slip on island (6)	DONKEY	Definition: Silly fool DON (to put on or slip on an item of clothing ) + KEY (island)
Nurse keeps Rex and me, an avant-gardist (11)	TRENDSETTER	Definition: an avant-gardist R[ex] in TEND + SETTER ("me")
Being upset, Kitty's done with the night's billet (8)	STOPOVER	Definition: the night's billet Reverse of POT'S (kitty's) + OVER (done)
Ignored a change of material (8)	ORGANDIE	Definition: material (IGNORED A)
Ruddy girl's relieved (6)	FLORID	Definition: Ruddy FLO (girl's name) +RID (relieved [of])
Head eats a new type of savoury (6)	CANAPE	Definition: type of savoury A N in CAPE (head[land])
Genial criminal in west London (6)	EALING	Definition: in west London GENIAL
Great power of representative in republic (6)	EMPIRE	Definition: Great power MP (Member of Parliament, representative) in EIRE (Republic of Ireland)
Dog or cat: favourite? (7)	WHIPPET	Definition: Dog WHIP (cat) + PET (favourite)
Correct to travel from Sapporo (7)	APROPOS	Definition: Correct SAPPORO
Stagger, seeing bank account emptied? (4,4,7)	LOSE ONE’S BALANCE	Definition: Stagger Double definition
Chalk here as indicated (2,3)	ON CUE	Definition: as indicated Double definition, the first referring to the use of chalk on cues in snooker and billiards
Sort of story for solver (9)	DETECTIVE	Definition: Sort of story Just about a double definition, or possibly a cryptic def
Plant could be soft and hairy (9)	FORSYTHIA	Definition: Plant (SOFT HAIRY)
Unhealthy-looking pie (5)	PASTY	Definition: Unhealthy-looking Double definition (with two different pronunciations)
A bit of cheap, pleasant fruit (5)	APPLE	Definition: fruit Hidden in cheAP PLEasant
Big country with no coffee (9)	AMERICANO	Definition: coffee AMERICA + NO – pretty weak if you ask me
Newly sold place fell down (9)	COLLAPSED	Definition: fell down (SOLD PLACE)
Old flame has stroke as worker abroad (5)	EXPAT	Definition: worker abroad EX (old flame) + PAT (to stroke)
At which to keep questioning Labour gathering? (5,10)	PRESS CONFERENCE	Definition: At which to keep questioning Labour gathering PRESS (to keep questioning) + CONFERENCE (gathering – all the parties have their conferences, but Labour use the word a lot in motions and speeches at theirs), &lit
Refuel here — it goes into aircraft (3,4)	PIT LANE	Definition: Refuel here IT in PLANE
Scripture factory produces new draft (7)	REWORKS	Definition: produces new draft RE (Religious Education, formerly called "scripture") + WORKS (factory)
Nasty fellow, from the first filthy rich (4,3)	WELL OFF	Definition: rich FELLOW* + F[ilthy]
Debugging tool? (6,9)	INSECT REPELLENT	Definition: Debugging tool Cryptic definition
Convert badly-made polyester (9)	PROSELYTE	Definition: Convert POLYESTER*, with "Convert" to be read as a noun for the definition
From surface of tyre, study this? (5)	TREAD	Definition: this T[yre] + READ with an &littish sort of definition
Settle dispute with some little tart I brashly picked up (9)	ARBITRATE	Definition: Settle dispute Hidden in reverse of littlE TART I BRAshly
Survival is regarded with reverence (5)	RELIC	Definition: Survival Double definition (sort of – religious relics may be regarded with reverence, but that part of the clue is using the wrong part of speech)
It gives more point to your writing (6,9)	PENCIL SHARPENER	Definition: It gives more point to your writing Cryptic definition. This felt very familiar, and I see we've had similar clues recently in the FT from Redshank and Tees, and elsewhere
Flats arranged for the cast (7)	SCENERY	Definition: Flats arranged for the cast Cryptic definition, referring to stage scenery

Feeling smart? Make an offer (6)

TENDER

Definition: Feeling smart Double definition

Real sexist entertainer on the inside (8)

EXISTENT

Definition: Real Hidden in sEXIST ENTertainer

Passage from never-ending TV soap about bar (8)

CORRIDOR

Definition: Passage CORRI[E] (nickname of Coronation Street) + reverse of ROD (bar)

Exotic insect is most particular (6)

NICEST

Definition: most particular INSECT

Small person failed MOT — having to seek a lift (3,5)

TOM THUMB

Definition: Small person MOT* + THUMB (to hitch-hike, seek a lift)

Takes an exam to include finished exercises (3-3)

SIT-UPS

Definition: exercises UP (finished) in SITS (takes an exam)

Before extra time starts, Mark gets card (6)

TICKET

Definition: card TICK (mark) + E[xtra] T[ime]

Doctor finally intervenes in chronic ailment, ending in death (8)

TERMINAL

Definition: ending in death [docto]R in AILMENT

Takes back gun (4)

STEN

Definition: gun Reverse of NETS

In general, bustling court figure (9)

RECTANGLE

Definition: figure CT in GENERAL

Aim to be an instructor (5)

TRAIN

Definition: Aim Double definition – as in "train one's sights" for the first

Doctor eating every last bit, given a recipe for duck (7)

MALLARD

Definition: duck ALL (every last bit) + A R in M.D. The Mallard, as well as being a type of duck, was also the fastest ever steam locomotive

European flower market's ultimate sugar confection? No resistance! (5)

TAGUS

Definition: European flower [marke]T + SUGAR* less R

Secure plum in cases (7)

BAGGAGE

Definition: cases BAG + GAGE (plum)

Trip when dancing on cruise, having snatched a kiss (9)

EXCURSION

Definition: Trip X (kiss) in (ON CRUISE)

Load carried by father figure (7)

FREIGHT

Definition: Load carried FR + EIGHT

Implicit quality of public units (9)

OVERTONES

Definition: Implicit quality OVERT + ONES

Dismal scientist: "Dynamite to incomes!" (9)

ECONOMIST

Definition: Dismal scientist (TO INCOMES)* – economics was described by Thomas Carlyle as "the dismal science" (in contrast to the "gay science" of song and verse writing)

Flag — Reuters wrong about dates (3,6)

RED DUSTER

Definition: Flag D D (two Dates) in REUTERS – slang for the Red Ensign

Nasty tear on doll (snapped again?) (7)

RETAKEN

Definition: snapped again TEAR* + KEN (doll – Barbie's boyfriend); "snapped" = "taken" as a photograph

Descriptive of K-9's pinch of the ear (7)

ROBOTIC

Definition: Descriptive of K-9 ROB (to steal, pinch) + OTIC (of the ear) – K-9 was a robot dog in *Doctor Who

Press piece's a bit of a plant? (7)

CUTTING

Definition: Press piece Double definition

One's captivated by star-shaped feature of fluted column (5)

STRIA

Definition: feature of fluted column I in STAR – a stria is "one of the fillets [i.e. small spaces or bands] between the flutes of columns", perhaps more familiar in the adjective "striated"

Penny, dead dishy thing (5)

PLATE

Definition: dishy thing P + LATE – a plate is a kind of dish, so a "dishy thing"

Trump, perhaps, to slip up badly (8)

POPULIST

Definition: Trump, perhaps (TO SLIP UP)* – the president continues to prove useful to setters…

Exerts heavy pressure on joint — shortly notices (6)

KNEADS

Definition: Exerts heavy pressure on KNE[E] (joint) + ADS (notices)

House in miniature around back of Hyde Park (8)

YOSEMITE

Definition: Park SEMI (semi-detached housed) in reverse of TOY, plus [Hyd]E

Haddock, part of it with bread (6)

FINNAN

Definition: Haddock FIN (part of a fish) + NAN (bread)

King's ambassador fine, say, following commotion (4,2,5)

HEAD OF STATE

Definition: King HE (His Excellency) + ADO (commotion) + F[ine] + STATE (say)

Gun, one produced on stage … (5)

PIECE

Definition: Gun Double definition – a stage play can be called a piece

… an animal with no lines stars (9)

ANDROMEDA

Definition: stars AN + DROMEDARY less RY (railway; lines). The Andromeda galaxy is relatively close to our own, at a mere 2.5 million light years away

A number shared meal (3,3,3)

TEA FOR TWO

Definition: A number Double definition – famous song ("number"), originally from the musical *No, No, Nanette*. Not particularly exciting as a DD, I must say

Foolish to eat a bit of radicchio leaf (5)

FROND

Definition: leaf R[adicchio] in FOND (foolish)

Play, with this? (1,5,5)

A DOLL’S HOUSE

Definition: Play Double definition – it's a play by Ibsen, and a doll's house can be played with

Chemist's position serious (6)

LIEBIG

Definition: Chemist LIE (position) + BIG (serious). This German chemist came up in a Picaroon puzzle that I blogged last August

Forty-eight hours backchat that's boring? (4,4)

YADA YADA

Definition: chat that's boring Reverse of A DAY twice. American expression for tedious talk. Chambers only gives it in the ~~36~~72-hour form as "yada yada yada"

Representative comes out of bin cleaner (6)

DUSTER

Definition: cleaner DUMPSTER less MP

Relax, supplying energy for one in grief (2-6)

DE-STRESS

Definition: Relax DISTRESS with E replacing I

Film course for one with a problem (10)

PSYCHOPATH

Definition: one with a problem PSYCHO (film) + PATH (course). Rather weakened, I think, by the fact the name of the film is just a shortening of the full word

Goodbye to the outside, going in to die in alley (10)

PASSAGEWAY

Definition: alley The "outside" of G[oodby]E in PASS AWAY (die)

Waiting period as posh car collects bachelor (5)

LIMBO

Definition: Waiting period B in LIMO

One's group of rebels relaxed at first in comfort (12)

SATISFACTION

Definition: comfort SAT (relaxed) + I'S (one's) + FACTION

Sounds of foxtrot that are heard in the wings (6,3)

NOISES OFF

Definition: that are heard in the wings NOISES OF F[oxtrot]. Again, I don't like the double use of "noises" in cryptic reading and definition

Family member is cow (not daughter) (4)

AUNT

Definition: Family DAUNT less D

Suggesting Louis XIV collapsed? (4)

SUNK

Definition: collapsed Louis XIV was known as *Le Roi Soleil* or SUN K[ing]

Fussy car rental (4,2,6)

HARD TO PLEASE

Definition: Fussy HARD-TOP (car) + LEASE

Get people back into perpetual strife? Nothing in it (10)

REPOPULATE

Definition: Get people back O in PERPETUAL

From barn, as horse led out, they steer (10)

HANDLEBARS

Definition: they steer Anagram of BARN AS H[orse] LED

Judge's last case bringing back memories (9)

EVOCATIVE

Definition: bringing back memories [judg]E + VOCATIVE (grammatical case)

Almost home, where this is? (5)

HEART

Definition: where this is HEART[H], referring to the proverb "home is where the heart is"

Succeeded with hat, lost it with feet? (4)

SLID

Definition: lost it with feet S[ucceeded] + LID (hat). If you slide you could perhaps be said to lose it with your feet

Man's house and college spoken of (4)

KEYS

Definition: Man's house Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, is usually known as just Caius, pronounced "keys". The House of Keys is part of the parliament of the Isle of Man. The intersection of this with LIEBIG in this rather isolated corner might cause a few problems, with three bits of "general knowledge" required

Beetle to traumatise backward scholar (6)

SCARAB

Definition: Beetle SCAR (traumatise) + reverse of B.A.

Make a mistake with commission (6)

ERRAND

Definition: commission ERR + AND (with)

Charlie inclines to abdominal pain (6)

CRAMPS

Definition: abdominal pain C + RAMPS

Team cuts lease for occupier (8)

RESIDENT

Definition: occupier SIDE (team) in RENT (lease)

Does one river meet another? (4)

DEER

Definition: Does DEE (river) + R[iver]; does as in female deer

Thought to be against partiality of the left (10)

CONSIDERED

Definition: Thought CON (against) + SIDE (partiality) + RED (of the left)

Wind down temper when the game is safe (5,6)

CLOSE SEASON

Definition: when the game is safe CLOSE (to wind down) + SEASON (to temper). Game animals are safe from hunters in the close season

Winger is an Oxford player with courage (10)

BLUEBOTTLE

Definition: Winger BLUE (one playing a sport for (e.g.) Oxford University) + BOTTLE (courage)

Illicit drugs found in storage area (4)

GEAR

Definition: Illicit drugs Hidden (appropriately enough) in storaGE ARea

Writer is to wallow in drink (8)

TROLLOPE

Definition: Writer ROLL in TOPE (to drink)

Mean to entertain Indian poet (6)

PINDAR

Definition: poet IND[ian] in PAR (average, mean). Pindar was a ancient Greek poet

Insecurity makes director fret (6)

DANGER

Definition: Insecurity D[irector] + ANGER (Chambers has "to vex or irritate")

Wrongly aspire to approbation (6)

PRAISE

Definition: approbation ASPIRE

Something soothing uttered in royal retreat (8)

BALMORAL

Definition: royal retreat BALM (something soothing)+ ORAL (spoken, uttered)

Prevents Bill making wine (6)

BARSAC

Definition: wine BARS (prevents) + AC (account, bill)

Unfaithful lover is scared off (8)

CRESSIDA

Definition: Unfaithful lover (IS SCARED)* – Cressida is an archetypal unfaithful lover, perhaps best known from Shakespeare's *Troilus and Cressida

Women confuse totter (6)

WADDLE

Definition: totter W + ADDLE

Mortar used for levelling a long passage (6)

SCREED

Definition: Mortar used for levelling Double definition: "A layer of mortar finishing off the surface of a floor" and, perhaps more familiarly, "A long passage, spoken or written"

Silly fool is to slip on island (6)

DONKEY

Definition: Silly fool DON (to put on or slip on an item of clothing ) + KEY (island)

Nurse keeps Rex and me, an avant-gardist (11)

TRENDSETTER

Definition: an avant-gardist R[ex] in TEND + SETTER ("me")

Being upset, Kitty's done with the night's billet (8)

STOPOVER

Definition: the night's billet Reverse of POT'S (kitty's) + OVER (done)

Ignored a change of material (8)

ORGANDIE

Definition: material (IGNORED A)

Ruddy girl's relieved (6)

FLORID

Definition: Ruddy FLO (girl's name) +RID (relieved [of])

Head eats a new type of savoury (6)

CANAPE

Definition: type of savoury A N in CAPE (head[land])

Genial criminal in west London (6)

EALING

Definition: in west London GENIAL

Great power of representative in republic (6)

EMPIRE

Definition: Great power MP (Member of Parliament, representative) in EIRE (Republic of Ireland)

Dog or cat: favourite? (7)

WHIPPET

Definition: Dog WHIP (cat) + PET (favourite)

Correct to travel from Sapporo (7)

APROPOS

Definition: Correct SAPPORO

Stagger, seeing bank account emptied? (4,4,7)

LOSE ONE’S BALANCE

Definition: Stagger Double definition

Chalk here as indicated (2,3)

ON CUE

Definition: as indicated Double definition, the first referring to the use of chalk on cues in snooker and billiards

Sort of story for solver (9)

DETECTIVE

Definition: Sort of story Just about a double definition, or possibly a cryptic def

Plant could be soft and hairy (9)

FORSYTHIA

Definition: Plant (SOFT HAIRY)

Unhealthy-looking pie (5)

PASTY

Definition: Unhealthy-looking Double definition (with two different pronunciations)

A bit of cheap, pleasant fruit (5)

APPLE

Definition: fruit Hidden in cheAP PLEasant

Big country with no coffee (9)

AMERICANO

Definition: coffee AMERICA + NO – pretty weak if you ask me

Newly sold place fell down (9)

COLLAPSED

Definition: fell down (SOLD PLACE)

Old flame has stroke as worker abroad (5)

EXPAT

Definition: worker abroad EX (old flame) + PAT (to stroke)

At which to keep questioning Labour gathering? (5,10)

PRESS CONFERENCE

Definition: At which to keep questioning Labour gathering PRESS (to keep questioning) + CONFERENCE (gathering – all the parties have their conferences, but Labour use the word a lot in motions and speeches at theirs), &lit

Refuel here — it goes into aircraft (3,4)

PIT LANE

Definition: Refuel here IT in PLANE

Scripture factory produces new draft (7)

REWORKS

Definition: produces new draft RE (Religious Education, formerly called "scripture") + WORKS (factory)

Nasty fellow, from the first filthy rich (4,3)

WELL OFF

Definition: rich FELLOW* + F[ilthy]

Debugging tool? (6,9)

INSECT REPELLENT

Definition: Debugging tool Cryptic definition

Convert badly-made polyester (9)

PROSELYTE

Definition: Convert POLYESTER*, with "Convert" to be read as a noun for the definition

From surface of tyre, study this? (5)

TREAD

Definition: this T[yre] + READ with an &littish sort of definition

Settle dispute with some little tart I brashly picked up (9)

ARBITRATE

Definition: Settle dispute Hidden in reverse of littlE TART I BRAshly

Survival is regarded with reverence (5)

RELIC

Definition: Survival Double definition (sort of – religious relics may be regarded with reverence, but that part of the clue is using the wrong part of speech)

It gives more point to your writing (6,9)

PENCIL SHARPENER

Definition: It gives more point to your writing Cryptic definition. This felt very familiar, and I see we've had similar clues recently in the FT from Redshank and Tees, and elsewhere

Flats arranged for the cast (7)

SCENERY

Definition: Flats arranged for the cast Cryptic definition, referring to stage scenery