Clue
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Whipped a tycoon boxing king of 8 (8)
|
OCTONARY
|
Definition: of 8
R in (A TYCOON)* – itn means relating to the number eight, not a cross-reference to 8d
|
Dodge's wings and favoured elevation (8)
|
SIDESTEP
|
Definition: Dodge
SIDES (wings) + reverse of PET (favoured)
|
Happy with coral being destroyed without proper backing (10)
|
APOCRYPHAL
|
Definition: without proper backing
(HAPPY CORAL)
|
Draw with articulated flatline textile process (3-3-3)
|
TIE-AND-DYE
|
Definition: textile process
TIE (draw, in sports) + AND (with) + homophone of "die" (to flatline)
|
Be a tourist with sense to understand (8)
|
SIGHTSEE
|
Definition: Be a tourist
SIGHT (sense) + SEE (understand)
|
Go out with Anorak Joey? (8)
|
KANGAROO
|
Definition: Joey
(GO ANORAK)* – a joey is a young kangaroo
|
Peninsula of African country with no western boundary (6)
|
IBERIA
|
Definition: Peninsula
LIBERIA less its first or "western" letter. Some might complain that it's the northern boundary in a down clue
|
Tasteless Taming of Shrew (5)
|
WERSH
|
Definition: Tasteless
SHREW – Scots word for tasteless or insipid: probably unfamiliar to many, but "it couldb't be anything else"
|
Classic book author's 12-month record about the rise of a Sussex town (4,6)
|
ANNA SEWELL
|
Definition: Classic book author
Reverse of LEWES (Sussex town) in ANNAL. Naturally I spent some time looking for a book rather than its author (the book referred to is of course *Black Beauty *)
|
Radar not working to pin down one Aussie convoy (4,5)
|
ROAD TRAIN
|
Definition: Aussie convoy
I in (RADAR NOT)*. A road train consists of a number of trailers pulled by a single "engine", so I'm not sure it can really be described as a convoy, which consists of multiple vehicles
|
Fabulous bird takes hour to eat a fish (5)
|
ROACH
|
Definition: fish
A in ROC + H
|
Female? No! (4,3)
|
IRON MAN
|
Definition: Female? No
Female = Fe + male = IRON (chimical symbol) + MAN, &lit (though women do take part in Ironman events)
|
They emphasise it's about a girl, mostly (7)
|
ITALICS
|
Definition: They emphasise
ALIC[E] in IT'S
|
Manage to miss ex-PM turning back to wave (5)
|
EVADE
|
Definition: Manage to miss
Reverse of DAVE (as David Cameron supposedly asked to be called) + the "back" letter of wavE
|
Stoutness of daughter one embraces after decline (9)
|
ROTUNDITY
|
Definition: Stoutness
ROT (decine) + D in UNITY
|
One's drunk, awake: knowing one should drink less? (6-9)
|
HEALTH‑CONSCIOUS
|
Definition: knowing one should drink less
HEALTH (as in drink someone's health) + CONSCIOUS (awake)
|
In the event, where John Paul II might have been laid to rest? (4,5)
|
POLE VAULT
|
Definition: event
Double definition – John Paul II was famously the "Polish Pope"
|
In rubber, move stealthily, advancing quietly (5)
|
CREPE
|
Definition: rubber
CREEP with the P (piano, quietly) advanced, i.e. moved nearer the start
|
His marvellous royal eggs regularly sent over (7)
|
FABERGE
|
Definition: His marvellous royal eggs regularly sent over
FAB (marvellous) + ER (he Queen, a "royal") + reverse of EgGs, &lit, with reference to Fabergé eggs
|
Ungenerous to be left in wretchedness (7)
|
MISERLY
|
Definition: Ungenerous
L in MISERY
|
Breakdown finally in short journey: getting AA (5)
|
MILNE
|
Definition: AA
[breakdow]N in MILE, to give the creator of Winne The Pooh et al
|
Reference works from which man copied wrongly (9)
|
COMPENDIA
|
Definition: Reference works
(MAN COPIED)
|
Pleasure craft, one that could launch a missile? (6,4)
|
CRUISE SHIP
|
Definition: Pleasure craft
Double definition, with reference to Cruise missiles
|
Keep silent, then hurried up with a goodbye (8)
|
SAYONARA
|
Definition: goodbye
SAY 0 (keep silient) + reverse of RAN + A. Japanese word for goodbye, literally meaning "if that's the way it is"
|
Block son taking my turn in match (6)
|
STYMIE
|
Definition: Block
S + reverse of MY in TIE (e.g. a football match, as in cup tie)
|
Man and wife accepted by god (4)
|
PAWN
|
Definition: Man
W in PAN
|
Vague hunch about policeman (10)
|
INDISTINCT
|
Definition: Vague
DI (Detective Inspector) in INSTINCT (hunch)
|
Work out anagram to get cold drink (8)
|
ARMAGNAC
|
Definition: drink
Anagram of ANAGRAM + C
|
Area gets diluted covering before I paste (6)
|
TAHINI
|
Definition: paste
A[rea] in THIN + I
|
Rich husband you seek? Look first for a Welshman (4)
|
RHYS
|
Definition: Welshman
First letters of Rich Husband You Seek
|
From sports ground, secured criminal is to break out again (10)
|
RECRUDESCE
|
Definition: break out again
REC (sports ground) + SECURED
|
In the past ate rye doubly cooked, grabbing seconds (10)
|
YESTERYEAR
|
Definition: the past
S in anagram of ATE RYE RYE
|
Overtax salaried man, not a landlord (8)
|
TAVERNER
|
Definition: landlord
Reverse of VAT ("over tax") + EARNER less A – landlord in the sense of one who keeps a pub
|
Put aside exhausted horse (8)
|
OVERRODE
|
Definition: Put aside
If you OVER-RODE a horse then you may have exhausted it
|
Unstable California city's anger (6)
|
LABILE
|
Definition: Unstable
L[os] A[ngeles] + BILE
|
Pamper commander's circle (6)
|
COSSET
|
Definition: Pamper
CO'S SET
|
In coal, say, endless money — and smoke (4)
|
FUME
|
Definition: smoke
M[oney] in endless FUE[L]
|
Selfish clamour that's passed non-genetically? (4)
|
MEME
|
Definition: that's passed non-genetically
The selfish clamour is people crying "me! me!". The word meme was coined by Richard Dawkins to describe ideas etc passed between people in a way analogous to the transfer of genes
|
Part of foot stumped English player, initially batting first (6)
|
INSTEP
|
Definition: Part of foot
IN (batting) + ST[umped] + E + P[layer]
|
Judge film — British want something extremely dark (3,5)
|
JET BLACK
|
Definition: extremely dark
J[udge] + ET (film) + B + LACK (want something)
|
Tail of this one concerning, going over back of body (8)
|
SCORPION
|
Definition: Tail of this one concerning, going over back of body
Last letter (tail) of thiS + CORPS (body) with its "back" replaced by I ON (concerning) &lit
|
Plant in America around spies (6)
|
ACACIA
|
Definition: Plant
A + CA (corca, around) + CIA (spies)
|
Signs of growth in tax records (7,5)
|
STRETCH MARKS
|
Definition: Signs of growth
STRETCH (to tax) + MARKS (records)
|
Ace place to go for Indian food (4)
|
ALOO
|
Definition: Indian food
A + LOO (toilet, a place to "go")
|
One is fired: character to get sack (3,5)
|
AIR RIFLE
|
Definition: One is fired
AIR (character) + RIFLE (to sack)
|
Large bunches of bananas over us (8)
|
HANDSOME
|
Definition: Large
HANDS (bunches of bananas) + O[ver] + ME (=us, as in "give us a kiss")
|
Prepare to leave group (4)
|
PACK
|
Definition: Prepare to leave
Double definition
|
Try that Viagra, mostly while worried about sex (4,2,1,5)
|
GIVE IT A WHIRL
|
Definition: Try that
IT (sex) in anagram of VIAGR[a] WHILE
|
Measure and cook herb (6)
|
DOSAGE
|
Definition: Measure
DO (cook) SAGE
|
Salesperson returning city gentleman's payback (8)
|
REPRISAL
|
Definition: payback
REP (salesperson) + reverse of L[os] A[ngeles] + SIR
|
Harmful stuff when former footballer so drunk (8)
|
ASBESTOS
|
Definition: Harmful stuff
AS + [George] BEST + "anagram" of SO
|
Drop sign having changed hands (6)
|
CANCEL
|
Definition: Drop
CANCER (astrological sign) with R changed to L
|
Can do (4)
|
NICK
|
Definition: Can
Double definition – nick=can=prison for the first; for the second, Chambers gives "to defraud" (i.e. to "do") as a meaning of NICK: perhaps slightly obscure, but it makes for a nicely terse clue
|
Dawn French very hot inside reserve (9)
|
THRESHOLD
|
Definition: Dawn
H[ot] in TRES (French "very") + HOLD (to reserve)
|
Morgan, when entertaining live, is a tool (6)
|
PLIERS
|
Definition: a tool
L (live) in PIERS (Morgan, journalist), with maybe some commentary in the surface..
|
Dad going out with hat, worn jeans and old jumper (8,7)
|
JONATHAN EDWARDS
|
Definition: old jumper
Anagram of DAD HAT WORN JEANS, giving the former Olympic triple jumper
|
Long to run into class that's coming up? Do they? (8)
|
TEACHERS
|
Definition: they
ACHE (to long) + R in reverse of SET, with an &littish definition
|
One male, totally revolting animal that might spit at you? (5)
|
LLAMA
|
Definition: animal that might spit at you
Reverse of A M ALL
|
Release for women with it? Primarily kiss fellow with tongue (5,5)
|
CHICK FLICK
|
Definition: Release for women
CHIC (fashionable, with it) + K[iss] + F + LICK – "release" in the sense of a cinema release
|
Supply, eg oil? No, USA is rich in oil (10)
|
OLEAGINOUS
|
Definition: rich in oil
(EG OIL NO USA)* with "supply" meaning "in a supple way"
|
Drive and change oil in sump (9)
|
IMPULSION
|
Definition: Drive
(OIL IN SUMP)
|
Support for member to pay balance (8)
|
FOOTREST
|
Definition: Support for member
FOOT (pay, as in foot the bill) + REST (balance, remainder)
|
Personal feature of writer covering current work (6)
|
BIOPIC
|
Definition: Personal feature
I (electric current) + OP (work) in BIC (pen, writer)
|
Bottoms of wee babies are turned over for wipe (5)
|
ERASE
|
Definition: wipe
Reverse of [we]E [babie]S ARE
|
Drink up Earl Grey (4)
|
PALE
|
Definition: Grey
Reverse of LAP + E[arl]
|
Pudding where we'd expect to see tea, it's said (6)
|
AFTERS
|
Definition: Pudding
We have to take a homohone of "tea" to get the letter T, which comes AFTER S in the alphabet
|
What some solicitors do on hearing a charge (6)
|
ACCOST
|
Definition: What some solicitors do
Homophone of "a cost"
|
Lady from Lisbon hears no evil (7)
|
SENHORA
|
Definition: Lady from Lisbon
(HEARS NO)
|
Most equable ladies regularly appearing in film (7)
|
MILDEST
|
Definition: Most equable
Alternate letters of LaDiEs in MIST (film)
|
Putting self-portrait on display, bashfully (7,4,4)
|
HANGING ONE’S HEAD
|
Definition: Putting self-portrait on display, bashfully
Cryptic/double definition
|
Skip university in pursuit of love (4)
|
OMIT
|
Definition: Skip
O (zero, love) + MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
|
Patriots withdrawing singular honour for Hollywood legend? (4,6)
|
STAN LAUREL
|
Definition: Hollywood legend
Reverse of NATS (nationalists, patriots) + LAUREL (perhaps more often seen as a plural when referring to honours, as in "rest one one's laurels")
|
French madame and monsieur have words before ceremony (10)
|
MARGUERITE
|
Definition: French madame
M[onsieur] + ARGUE + RITE
|
Boat from south Jersey or Guernsey? (4)
|
SCOW
|
Definition: Boat
S + COW (Jersey and Guernsey are breeds of cattle)
|
Gather where beaver's seen and weather the storm (4,2,2,3,4)
|
TAKE IT ON THE CHIN
|
Definition: weather the storm
TAKE IT (to gather) + ON THE CHIN (a beaver is a beard – in this sense from from French *bavière* meaning a child's bib, not the animal)
|
Nurses treated current stabbing early in the day (7)
|
SUNRISE
|
Definition: early in the day
I (electric current) in NURSES* – perhaps slightly unfortunate wording in view of the recent events in London
|
Sailor looking fatigued aboard, running back and forth (7)
|
ONWARDS
|
Definition: forth
Reverse of DRAWN (looking fatigued) in O[rdinary] S[eaman]
|
Playwright once releasing book to be grabbed by males ready for casting? (6)
|
MOLTEN
|
Definition: ready for casting
[B]OLT (Robert Bolt, whose plays include *A Man For All Seasons*) in MEN – the definition refers to the casting of metal
|
Judge from Spain comes across the wrong way (6)
|
ESTEEM
|
Definition: Judge
E (Spain) + reverse of MEETS (comes across)
|
One furnishes capital home with more elaborate fencing (9)
|
FINANCIER
|
Definition: One furnishes capital
IN ([at] home) in FANCIER
|
Allude to trapping beast coming up from foreign parts (6)
|
EXOTIC
|
Definition: from foreign parts
Reverse of (OX in CITE)
|
Take out child, heading off after school on vacation (9)
|
SLAUGHTER
|
Definition: Take out
S[choo]L (i.e. "vacated") + [D]AUGHTER, with "take out" being slang for "kill"
|
Democrat moving in to make changes for promoters (5)
|
ADMEN
|
Definition: promoters
AMEND (make change) with the D relocated; Chambers gives this as both a single word and hyphenated
|
Merry monarch's order for salad? (8)
|
COLESLAW
|
Definition: salad
COLE'S (Old King Cole was a merry old soul) + LAW (order)
|
Countryman to consider keeping wife and daughter apart (5)
|
SWEDE
|
Definition: Countryman
W and D separately in SEE (consider)
|
Young peers happily sharing a mistress? (11)
|
SCHOOLMATES
|
Definition: Young peers happily sharing a mistress
Cryptic definition
|
Result of making mini bats for children's game? (11)
|
TIDDLYWINKS
|
Definition: children's game
Batting your eyelids leads to a wink, so if the bats were "mini" you might get TIDDLY (small) WINKS
|
Uneasy and unready to receive, getting out (3,2,4)
|
NOT AT HOME
|
Definition: Uneasy
I think this is a triple definition: to be at home with something is to be comfortable with it, so uneasy would be the opposite; the next two literally refer to being not at home
|
Careers madly round house for something to put shirt on? (9)
|
RACEHORSE
|
Definition: something to put shirt on
HO in CAREERS
|
Breed of dog, one lean aggressive type (8)
|
PUGILIST
|
Definition: aggressive type
PUG + I + LIST (to lean)
|
Bird going up rubbish heap gets very little to eat (6)
|
PEEWIT
|
Definition: Bird
Reverse of WEE (very little) in TIP (rubbish heap)
|
Japanese art, complete with fine raised frame (5)
|
KENDO
|
Definition: Japanese art
END (to complete) in reverse of OK (fine); Kendo is a Japanese martial art that uses bamboo swords
|
Eastern firm set up by an Indian, perhaps (5)
|
OCEAN
|
Definition: Indian, perhaps
Reverse of (E CO) + AN
|
Does for college taking meals round (8)
|
SCUPPERS
|
Definition: Does for
C[ollege] in SUPPERS
|
What Jock would call humble, taking English in college (5)
|
POLEY
|
Definition: What Jock would call humble
E[nglish] in POLY (i.e. polytechnic, college – strange to have this twice in consecutive clues); poley and humble both mean "hornless" (of cattle), with humble being a Scotticism
|
Mixed up, so extra antidepressant required (7)
|
SEROXAT
|
Definition: antidepressant
(SO EXTRA)
|
Folds in damask curtains partly drawn back (5)
|
RUCKS
|
Definition: Folds
Hidden in reverse of damaSK CURtains
|
Man e.g. given time inside showing fibre (5)
|
ISTLE
|
Definition: fibre
T in ISLE (of Man)
|
Like worthless demoiselle? One is clothed in purple (8)
|
MAUVAISE
|
Definition: Like worthless demoiselle
A IS in MAUVE – feminine version of the French word for bad, worthless
|
In a corner round piece of Hepplewhite is giving impression of depth (6)
|
THREE-D
|
Definition: giving impression of depth
H in TREED (cornered)
|
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