Clue
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Roman Cato lambasted dismissing a Caesar maybe (8)
|
MONOCRAT
|
Definition: Caesar maybe
Anagram of ROMAN CATO less one A
|
Foreign script shown by a single vellum, but not on edging? (5)
|
NESKI
|
Definition: Foreign script
[O]NE SKI[N]
|
Any round stone one's turned over, aspiring to be creative (5)
|
ARTSY
|
Definition: aspiring to be creative
Reverse of ST in ARY (any)
|
Caught lilting chant about old serf? It's played with hands (11)
|
CATCH-THE-TEN
|
Definition: It's played with hands
C + THETE (serf) in CHANT
|
Like enthusiastic Ibrox fans, sounding like a Stewart? (6)
|
ROARIE
|
Definition: Like enthusiastic Ibrox fans
Homophone of Rory [Stewart], formerly a Conservative MP, now independent since Boris Johnson's purge of 21 MPs who voted against the Government
|
Ancient curse dominating early part of Tannhäuser (for Wagner's character) (5)
|
WOTAN
|
Definition: Wagner's character
WO (old form of woe = curse) + TAN – rather vague by Azed's standards for "early part of Tannhäuser". Wotan (a German version of the name Odin) is the king of the gods in Wagner's Ring cycle
|
Small heraldic band having complexity round radius (7)
|
TRANGLE
|
Definition: Small heraldic band
R in TANGLE
|
Shakespearean director wanting RU team in Madrid? (6)
|
QUINCE
|
Definition: Shakespearean director
QUINCE is Spanish for 15, the number of players in a Rugby union team; and Peter Quince directs the Mechanicals' play in *A Midsummer Night's Dream
|
Club wastes away, cutting rates (4)
|
MACE
|
Definition: Club
MACE[RATES]
|
One over-keen on the drink has a swim with nothing on (5)
|
DIPSO
|
Definition: One over-keen on the drink
DIPS (swims) + O
|
Plant family, one with odd features of cherry (4)
|
ACER
|
Definition: Plant family
A + alternate letters of ChErRy. Acer is the Maple genus
|
Society in the US paraded unrestrainedly in Indian silk (6)
|
TUSSEH
|
Definition: Indian silk
S in (THE US)
|
Polish, weird, introducing former German currency shortly (5)
|
EMERY
|
Definition: Polish
M[ark] in EERY
|
Thus you may see dry seed slip all over the place (11)
|
DISPERSEDLY
|
Definition: Thus you may see dry seed slip all over the place
(DRY SEED SLIP)* &lit
|
Director modified set before run (7)
|
STEERER
|
Definition: Director
SET* + ERE R
|
Plains? Special follows just after the lot coming up (6)
|
LLANOS
|
Definition: Plains
Reverse of S[pecial] ON (just after) + ALL (the lot)
|
Like victim of Heracles, one topped with shaggy mane (6)
|
NEMEAN
|
Definition: Like victim of Heracles
ONE "topped", i.e. less its first letter + MANE*. I originally thought Azed had slipped up here, intending MANE* + AN. Killing the Nemean Lion was the first of the Labours of Heracles (aka Hercules)
|
Logs, number among chopped trees (6)
|
ENTERS
|
Definition: Logs
N in TREES
|
Corded bead: Jamie cuts one hollowed out (5)
|
OJIME
|
Definition: Corded bead
Another "ONE", this time "hollowed out" and containing another variant of James, namely JIM
|
Spinach run out (short)? Cooks snip this maybe (5)
|
ORACH
|
Definition: this
Composite anagram &lit: (SNIP ORACH)* = SPINACH + RO (cricketing abbreviation for "run out"); orach is "sometimes used as Spinach is
|
Drunk rolled over in a bit of a kip, leaning somewhat (5)
|
ATILT
|
Definition: leaning somewhat
Reverse of LIT (drunk) in AT (Laotian money, one-hundredth of a kip)
|
Fill tank till spilling out for Scottish sheep-pen (4)
|
FANK
|
Definition: Scottish sheep-pen
FILL TANK less TILL*. I learned this word many years ago through my Scottish sheep-farming stepfather
|
Behind sound of Irish song, London initially put out (8)
|
DERRIERE
|
Definition: Behind
Homophone of "[London]derry Air"
|
English are heard repeatedly admitting old mistake (5)
|
ERROR
|
Definition: mistake
E + O in 3 times R (homophone of "are")
|
Some industriousness is needed for today's theme, for instance (4)
|
TRIO
|
Definition: today's theme, for instance
Hidden in indusTRIOusness
|
Interpreted, we hear, sign that woman's married? Misleading clue! (3,7)
|
RED HERRING
|
Definition: Misleading clue
Yet another homophone, of "read" (interpreted) + HER RING (which may show a woman is married)
|
Corrupt dealer has something worn at table hiding king and queen (6)
|
BRIBER
|
Definition: Corrupt dealer
R (king) in BIB + ER (the Queen)
|
School backed legal action — there's usually money in it (8)
|
NOTECASE
|
Definition: there's usually money in it
Reverse of ETON (school) + CASE (legal action)
|
Tenacious pursuer's blunder, entering bank (7)
|
TERRIER
|
Definition: Tenacious pursuer
ERR (to blunder) in TIER (bank)
|
Source of marble artists placed on vehicle (7)
|
CARRARA
|
Definition: Source of marble
CAR (vehicle) + twice RA (artist). Carrara is an Italian city famous for its marble
|
More stylish going over line, one who finishes nicely? (8)
|
POLISHER
|
Definition: one who finishes nicely
L I in POSHER
|
Use fan improperly, creating hazard (6)
|
UNSAFE
|
Definition: creating hazard
(USE FAN)
|
Reckoning that I must be involved with crime (10)
|
ARITHMETIC
|
Definition: Reckoning
(THAT I CRIME)
|
British educational foundation's reaction to freeze? (4)
|
BRRR
|
Definition: reaction to freeze
B + RRR (the 3 Rs, supposedly the foundation of education)
|
In summer are roasts not cooked as much? (5)
|
RARER
|
Definition: not cooked as much
Hidden in summeR ARE Roasts
|
More like canal boat, quickly moved around with oar (8)
|
NARROWER
|
Definition: More like canal boat
Reverse of RAN quicly moved) + ROWER (oar). Canal boats are often called narrowboats
|
Confused restorer turned back (8)
|
RETRORSE
|
Definition: turned back
RESTORER* – retrorse is used in biology to describe something bent backward or downward
|
Vigour from writer after change of heart (4)
|
BRIO
|
Definition: Vigour
BIRO (pen, writer) with its "heart" reversed
|
Dread it disappearing from territory no end (6)
|
TERROR
|
Definition: Dread
TERRITORY less IT and its last letter
|
Being a student in university city (7)
|
READING
|
Definition: Being a student
Double definition, though in fact Reading (Berkshire) is not a city. There are several US cities called Reading, so by separating "university" and "city" you could read it as a triple definition
|
Detain me improperly, making problem for head (8)
|
DEMENTIA
|
Definition: problem for head
(DETAIN ME)
|
Eg tapes in advance piano note repeated on strings (3-7)
|
PRE‑RECORDS
|
Definition: Eg tapes in advance
P[iano] + RE + RE (notes) + CORDS (strings)
|
Managed university in America, part of the system we're in (6)
|
URANUS
|
Definition: part of the system we're in
RAN U in US. Uranus is part of the Solar System
|
Defenders sometimes put obstructions across street (10)
|
BARRISTERS
|
Definition: Defenders sometimes
ST[reet] in BARRIERS
|
They yield short-term interest, showing edge in record time (8)
|
EPHEMERA
|
Definition: They yield short-term interest
HEM (edge) in EP (record) + ERA (time)
|
Concerning previous person trying to fix things (8)
|
REFORMER
|
Definition: person trying to fix things
RE (concerning) + FORMER (previous)
|
Making corrections in speech or text (7)
|
WRITING
|
Definition: text
Homophone of "righting"
|
Unknown to mathematicians, supporting awful 9 in astronomical model (6)
|
ORRERY
|
Definition: astronomical model
Anagram of ERROR (answer to 9a) + Y (mathematical unknown). An orrery is a mechanical model of the Solar System
|
Open bottle containing a French port (6)
|
UNCORK
|
Definition: Open bottle
UN (French "a") + CORK (Irish port). "Containing" in the sense "consisting of"
|
A piece of 4 or 19 youth's not completed satisfactorily (4)
|
BOOK
|
Definition: A piece of 4 or 19
An uncompleted BO[y] + OK (satisfactorily, as in "it worked OK")
|
Travelling people after a bouquet (5)
|
AROMA
|
Definition: bouquet
A + ROMA
|
Sweat embarrassingly in a tuxedo? (9)
|
EXUDATION
|
Definition: Sweat
(IN A TUXEDO)
|
Conservative party member demanding vessel (9)
|
HARDLINER
|
Definition: Conservative party member
HARD (demanding) + LINER (vessel). The definition refers to a conservative member of a party rather than a member of the Conservative party
|
Mad freebooter relinquishing power (5)
|
IRATE
|
Definition: Mad
PIRATE less P
|
Mate in Sydney holding large hammer (7)
|
CLOBBER
|
Definition: hammer
L in COBBER. Do Australians still call each other "cobber"? Did they ever?
|
Stray has accommodation in which there's no time to relax (7)
|
DIGRESS
|
Definition: Stray
REST less T in DIGS
|
Pick up article in valley (5)
|
GLEAN
|
Definition: Pick up
A (indefinite article) in GLEN (valley, usually in Scotland)
|
Clutch component, say, coming closer (3)
|
EGG
|
Definition: Clutch component
E.G. (Say) + the "closer" of cominG
|
King of Mercia primarily laying waste (5)
|
OFFAL
|
Definition: waste
OFFA (King of Mercia 757-796, famous for his dyke) + L[aying]
|
Determination to complete the crossword again? (7)
|
RESOLVE
|
Definition: Determination
RE-SOLVE
|
Missionary position in middle of Wales (7)
|
APOSTLE
|
Definition: Missionary
POST (position) in [w]ALE[s]
|
Fiddle with French car that's dropping back (5)
|
FRAUD
|
Definition: Fiddle
FR + AUD[I]
|
Beginners from Oxford University set off in boat (9)
|
OUTRIGGER
|
Definition: boat
First letters of Oxford University + TRIGGER (set off)
|
Cast is so grand for directors (4,5)
|
ROAD SIGNS
|
Definition: directors
(IS SO GRAND)
|
Attentive dealer taking part (5)
|
ALERT
|
Definition: Attentive
Part of, i.e. hidden in, deALER Taking
|
Party for 13 across (4)
|
BASH
|
Definition: Party
Double definition
|
Golf match involving more of us (8)
|
FOURSOME
|
Definition: Golf match
(MORE OF US)
|
Fit, we hear, for a drop of the hard stuff? (4)
|
HAIL
|
Definition: a drop of the hard stuff
Homophone of "hale" (fit)
|
Ewe turns out to be supplier of milk (3,5)
|
WET NURSE
|
Definition: supplier of milk
(EWE TURNS)
|
Rotten place requiring short journey (6)
|
PUTRID
|
Definition: Rotten
PUT (to place) + RID[E]
|
Gung-ho gunners encircle country in Africa (6,2,2)
|
RARING TO GO
|
Definition: Gung-ho
RA (Royal Artillery, funners + RING + TOGO
|
Angry outburst from one stuck in traffic (6)
|
TIRADE
|
Definition: Angry outburst
I in TRADE
|
Old queen with no love for a new one (4)
|
ANNE
|
Definition: Old queen
A + N + ONE less O (zero, love)
|
26 down, say, holding Joe up in Havana? (5)
|
CIGAR
|
Definition: Havana
Reverse of GI in CAR (of which a Ford is an example)
|
Land makes outlaw happy and he's reformed (10)
|
BANGLADESH
|
Definition: Land
BAN + GLAD + HES
|
3 for Roman healer (5)
|
SALVE
|
Definition: 3 for Roman
Double definition – it's Latin for "hail " or "welcome"
|
Titanic female at sea, as gent is (8)
|
GIANTESS
|
Definition: Titanic female
(AS GENT IS)
|
Corpulent guide, terribly weary (8)
|
FATIGUED
|
Definition: weary
FAT +GUIDE
|
Central bank supporting false medicine man (6)
|
SHAMAN
|
Definition: medicine man
SHAM (false) + [b]AN[k]
|
One hug, possibly as good as a feast? (6)
|
ENOUGH
|
Definition: as good as a feast
(ONE HUG)*, referring tp the saying "enough is as good as a feast"
|
Where one goes from bank to bank to get a bit of dosh (4)
|
FORD
|
Definition: Where one goes from bank to bank
FOR (to get, as in "I'm going to the shops for milk") + D[osh]
|
My word is annoying you at first (1,3)
|
I SAY
|
Definition: My word
IS + first letters of Annoying You
|
Legal documents, reportedly, for Swiss hotelier (4)
|
RITZ
|
Definition: Swiss hotelier
Homophone if "writs". The Ritz hotels in Paris and London were set up by César Ritz, who was born in Switzerland
|
Leafstalk trailing river duck (7)
|
POCHARD
|
Definition: duck
PO (Italian river) + CHARD (vegetable with edible stalks)
|
Self-important holy one's going after fair return (7)
|
POMPOUS
|
Definition: Self-important
Reverse of MOP (dialect word for a hiring fair) + PIOUS less I
|
Talk arrogantly to others from an illusory mount? (3,2,4,4,5)
|
GET ON ONE’S HIGH HORSE
|
Definition: Talk arrogantly to others from an illusory mount
Just a rather long-winded cryptic definition, I think
|
Motion was altered drastically to cover gold (9)
|
LAUREATED
|
Definition: Motion was
AU in ALTERED* – reference to Andrew Motion, former Poet Laureate
|
Marker makes toenail red (10)
|
DELINEATOR
|
Definition: Marker
(TOENAIL RED)
|
Pepper restricted by winter's perseverance (11)
|
INTERSPERSE
|
Definition: Pepper
Hidden in wINTER'S PERSEverance
|
One form of ancient hut not in tune with Sartre's philosophy? (11)
|
INAUTHENTIC
|
Definition: not in tune with Sartre's philosophy
I + (ANCIENT HUT)* – authenticity is the "primary virtue" of Existentialism, associated with Jean-Paul Sartre
|
Refusing to change opinion of university, Wayne Slob, a mess, drops round (10)
|
UNSWAYABLE
|
Definition: Refusing to change opinion
Anagram of U + WAYNE SLOB, less "O". For those not familiar with the name, Wayne Slob is a character portrayed by Harry Enfield
|
One supplying air when tennis player gets colour back (9)
|
SERENADER
|
Definition: One supplying air
SERENA (Williams) + reverse of RED, with the "air" being a song
|
Call up the day before about ball and whip (7)
|
EVOCATE
|
Definition: Call up
O (ball) + CAT (whip) in EVE
|
Case of senior overcome by auditorium (7)
|
HOLDALL
|
Definition: Case
OLD in HALL
|
A party opening up a temple (6)
|
PAGODA
|
Definition: a temple
Reverse of A DO GAP
|
Swimmer dislodges top from sink (6)
|
CUTTLE
|
Definition: Swimmer
[S]CUTTLE – the creature (a mollusc) more commonly known as the cuttlefish, the source of both cuttlebone and the pigment sepia
|
Declare sadly a tunic's been appropriated by old queen (10)
|
ANNUNCIATE
|
Definition: Declare
(A TUNIC)* in [Queen] ANNE
|
Party line taken with state dish (5)
|
DOLMA
|
Definition: dish
DO + L + MA (Massachusetts). Dolma is a family of stuffed dishes, often seen (as Dolmades) in Greek cuisine as stuffed vine leaves
|
God starts to create really awful, terrifyingly rich man (9)
|
PLUTOCRAT
|
Definition: rich man
PLUTO (god) + first letters of Create Really Awful Terrifyingly
|
Look out, Emin! (4)
|
MIEN
|
Definition: Look
EMIN
|
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