Clue
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|---|---|---|
Alley pub attracting set round (6) | GINNEL | Definition: Alley
INN in GEL – meaning an alleyway between houses; one of those words that are highly region-dependent: alternatives are snicket and ennog |
Mosquito maybe making one swerve a little way (8) | WARPLANE | Definition: Mosquito maybe
WARP (to swerve) + LANE (a "little way") |
One landing fish in port wandering round Exeter once (8) | PISCATOR | Definition: One landing fish
ISCA (Roman name for what is now Exeter, in full Isca Dumnoniorum) in PORT; ISCA and EXE are related names for the river, from an Celtic word for fish (also seen in Scottish Gaelic "iasg" and Irish "iasc") |
Like yoked pair formerly attached to cart (6) | ATWAIN | Definition: Like yoked pair formerly
AT (attached to) WAIN (cart) |
Laud is prelate? Let this become broadcast (6) | PRAISE | Definition: Laud
Composite anagram: (IS PRELATE)* = LET PRAISE |
Rivet I removed from rolling stock, wrong if twisted? (8) | TRANSFIX | Definition: Rivet
TRAINS less Y + reverse of X (used to mark a wrong answer) + IF |
Desirable companion to have in bed, in more ways than one! (5) | HOTTY | Definition: Desirable companion to have in bed, in more ways than one
Two slang meanings: a hot-water bottle and a sexually-attractive person |
Primer applied on a table, omitting outer parts (5) | DONAT | Definition: Primer
Hidden in applieD ON A Table; the surface suggests paint, but this primer is actually a grammar book |
Fencing specialist providing what indicates parking in modified site (7) | EPEEIST | Definition: Fencing specialist
PEE (a P indicates a place to park) in SITE |
Caterpillar seen in a rainy start to October (5) | AWETO | Definition: Caterpillar
A + WET + O[ctober]; rather gruesomely, it's "the body of [a] caterpillar filled with a parasitic fungus, used to obtain a pigment" (and also as a traditional remedy) |
Person that's brought round quantity of wood – he does go on so (8) | PESTERER | Definition: he does go on so
STERE (measure of timber) in PER[son] |
Dark days (12) | SPRAT‑WEATHER | Definition: Dark days
The competition word, referring to "the dark days of November and December" (a good time for catching sprats, apparently) |
Reclining in care of frisky nautch (8) | COUCHANT | Definition: Reclining
C/O + NAUTCH*. In case you were wondering (as I was), nautch is "a traditional Indian dance performed by professional dancing girls" |
Unsound element in awful ceramics (5) | ULCER | Definition: Unsound element
Hidden in awfUL CERamics |
Dog receiving nothing for tea (5) | PEKOE | Definition: tea
O in PEKE |
Matador from Spain with home in South America (6) | ESPADA | Definition: Matador
E (Spain) + PAD in SA |
Shakespearean to oppose type of theatre, waving gun (6) | REPUGN | Definition: Shakespearean to oppose
REP (repertory theatre) + GUN |
Noah, poorly, hospital admitted – praise be! (7) | HOSANNA | Definition: praise be
SAN (hospital) in NOAH |
Squashed kiss can, in flirting etc (7) | EXTINCT | Definition: Squashed
X (kiss) + TIN (can) in ETC |
What deprives one of feeling, losing yen for friends? (4) | PALS | Definition: friends
PALSY less Y[en] |
Like Adam after Eve's arrival, in green mode of existence? (8) | ECOSTATE | Definition: Like Adam after Eve's arrival
ECO STATE; ecostate means "ribless" (from e-, denoting a lack, + costa = rib), though Adam presumably still had most of his left after God "took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof" to make Eve (Genesis 2:21-22) |
Use another rose on art? We're going crazy (7) | REWATER | Definition: Use another rose on
(ART WE'RE)* – to use another rose on your watering can would be to RE-WATER |
Early colonist in place before Roman river (7) | PLANTER | Definition: Early colonist
PL[ace] + ANTE (Latin "before") + R |
Soak being employed to tackle opening of fizz (6) | INFUSE | Definition: Soak
F[izz] in IN USE (being employed) |
Journey skywards on board fine jets (6) | SPIRTS | Definition: fine jets
Reverse of TRIP in SS (Steamship, so "on board") |
J. Laurie's ardent one giving him orders at Walmington? (5) | ALOWE | Definition: J. Laurie's ardent
J[ohn] Laurie played Private Frazer in *Dad's Army*, in which he would be given orders by Captain Mainwaring, played by A[rthur] LOWE. Alowe means "ablaze"; like Laurie/Frazer, from Scotland |
Late meal without starter? Pretty good shot (5) | INNER | Definition: Pretty good shot
[D]INNER – part of an archery target, or a shot that lands in it |
Guy maybe – atop fire's a fit one lit (4) | ROPE | Definition: Guy maybe
Another composite anagram: (ATOP FIRE)* = A FIT ROPE |
German order for cab (6) | HANSOM | Definition: cab
HANS (German name) + O.M. (Order of Merit) |
Hate to sack someone from the English cricket team? (6) | DETEST | Definition: Hate
To sack someone from the English cricket team might be to DE-TEST them |
Sleeping bag for curling up? (7) | BEDROLL | Definition: Sleeping bag for curling up
Cryptic definition |
Rural infection almost a severe pain (7) | BUCOLIC | Definition: Rural
BU[G] (infection) + COLIC |
Why climb Everest? Ice sheet's a brute to struggle with (7,3,5) | BECAUSE IT’S THERE | Definition: Why climb Everest
(ICE SHEET'S A BRUTE)* – the reply given by George Mallory when asked why he wanted to climb Everest |
Radar image showing temporary deviation (4) | BLIP | Definition: Radar image
Double definition |
Their thing turned out to be justified (2,3,5) | IN THE RIGHT | Definition: justified
(THEIR THING) |
Unusually, mob ran off — mate followed (10) | ABNORMALLY | Definition: Unusually
(MOB RAN)* + ALLY |
Some item: man and woman (4) | EMMA | Definition: woman
Hidden in itEM MAn |
Retain barrister, but refuse to speak (4,4,7) | KEEP ONE’S COUNSEL | Definition: Retain barrister
Double definition |
Try to sell time travel (7) | TOUTING | Definition: Try to sell
T[ime] + OUTING (travel) – surely the definition should be "Trying to sell" |
A couple in our navy are obsolete (7) | OUTWORN | Definition: obsolete
TWO in OUR N[avy] |
Remain a while, having nothing nasty to deal with (4,2) | STAY ON | Definition: Remain a while
Anagram of O (nothing) + NASTY |
One unsuited as a colonist (6) | NUDIST | Definition: One unsuited as a colonist
Cryptic definition – someone in a nudist colony would be lacking a suit |
An inability to kick? (9) | ADDICTION | Definition: An inability to kick
Cryptic definition – inability to kick a habit |
Having injected a drug, grew fast (4,2) | SHOT UP | Having injected a drug, grew fast (4,2)
Double definition |
Young adult going short for a very long time (9) | MILLENNIA | Definition: Young adult
MILLENNIA[L] – millennials are the generation that came of age around the turn of the century, so it's perhaps a stretch to call them "young adults" now; also a very weak clue as both elements are from exactly the same source |
Amount owed: one less makes no difference (5) | DEBIT | Definition: Amount owed
DEBIT and DEBT both mean an amount owed – in fact they are basically the same word |
Picking up pet, I become reticent (8) | TACITURN | Definition: reticent
Reverse of CAT + I TURN (become) |
Crack very visible in bottom of shoe (5) | SOLVE | Definition: Crack
V[ery] in SOLE |
First-day cover? (4,7) | BABY BLANKET | Definition: First-day cover
Cryptic definition |
Dejected as ridge collapsed (11) | CRESTFALLEN | Definition: Dejected
CREST + FALLEN |
Fail to complete coronation ceremony, needing old piece of silver (4-5) | HALF-CROWN | Definition: old piece of silver
Cryptic definition + definition; for any millennials reading this, the half-crown was a coin in British pre-decimal currency |
Lame displays of light entertainment (4,5) | GAME SHOWS | Definition: light entertainment
GAME (lame – pronounced "gammy" as in "game leg") + SHOWS (displays) |
Importance of sex in monastery (8) | PRIORITY | Definition: Importance
IT (sex) in PRIORY |
Raided by the police and broken (6) | BUSTED | Definition: Raided by the police
Double definition |
How teeth are said to appear to explode (5) | ERUPT | Definition: How teeth are said to appear
Double definition |
This on top of face is embarrassing? Offer encouragement! (3,2) | EGG ON | Definition: Offer encouragement
To have EGG ON your face is to be embarrassed |
Derby's filly, kicking out every second, is a lure (3,3) | DRY FLY | Definition: a lure
Alternate letters of DeRbY's FiLlY – as used in fly-fishing |
Beat back rookie grabbing learner driver, maybe (4,4) | GOLF CLUB | Definition: driver, maybe
Reverse of FLOG (beat) + L in CUB (rookie) |
Share memory about old pots here (8) | POOLROOM | Definition: pots here
POOL (to share) + O in ROM (computer memory); a place to play games such as pool, which involve potting balls |
Offence beside goal reflected game (6) | TENNIS | Definition: game
Reverse of SIN + NET (goal) |
After renovation, their bars had a very tight margin … (5,7) | HAIR’S BREADTH | Definition: a very tight margin
(THEIR BARS HAD) |
… such as this second person once (4) | THOU | Definition: this
Double definition: one (a thousandth of an inch) coming from the previous clue |
Staggering growth in illegal delivery style at Lord's (8) | THROWING | Definition: illegal delivery style at Lord's
(GROWTH IN)* – in cricket (played at Lord's), bowlers are not allowed to throw the ball |
Official who's often up the pole? (8) | LINESMAN | Definition: Official
Double definition: an official in tennis, football, etc, and "a person employed for the repair and maintenance of telephone or electricity power lines", who might have to climb poles |
Current ball supporters (4) | TEES | Definition: Current
Double definition: the River Tees, and as in golf |
Pongy during hard slog, one's taking time off (12) | HOLIDAYMAKER | Definition: one's taking time off
OLID (smelly) in HAYMAKER (a powerful punch in boxing) |
Card game to stimulate tense F1 driver (6) | PIQUET | Definition: Card game
PIQUE (stimulate) T +[ense], with two definitions (Nelson Piquet is the F1 driver) |
It most often primarily takes suet that's put out (8) | TITMOUSE | Definition: It most often primarily takes suet that's put out
IT + M[ost] O[ften] in SUET*, &lit, referring to the balls of suet that people put out to feed birds in winter |
Young openers show energy and horsepower (3,5) | EGG TEETH | Definition: Young openers
E[nergy] + GG (horse) + TEETH (power) – used by baby birds to crack the eggshell from the inside |
Cook finished batter (2,4) | DO OVER | Definition: batter
DO (cook) + OVER (finisihed) – slang for "beat up" |
Bouncer initially tests England's captain (4) | ROOT | Definition: England's captain
[kanga]ROO (bouncer) + T[ests] – Joe ROOT is the current captain of the England cricket team |
A big hand from capacity audience (4,5) | FULL HOUSE | Definition: A big hand
Double definition – the first from the poker hand |
Yankee vice ring infiltrated somewhere in Somerset (6) | YEOVIL | Definition: somewhere in Somerset
Y[ankee] + O in EVIL |
Plucky lot with rival finish on court (4,3,3,5) | GAME, SET AND MATCH | Definition: finish on court
GAME (plucky) SET (lot) + AND (with) MATCH (rival) |
Learned Lima route overlooking home (8) | LITERARY | Definition: Learned
L[ima] (phonetic alphabet) + ITINERARY less IN (home) |
Dance company never gets awards at first (5) | CONGA | Definition: Dance
CO + N[ever] G[ets] A[wards] |
Fluky piece finished around noon (10) | UNINTENDED | Definition: Fluky
N[oon[ in UNIT (piece) ENDED |
Article describes excellent case for sport (4,6) | THAI BOXING | Definition: sport
A1 (excellent) BOX (case) in THING (article) |
Endless battle to accommodate river sport (5,4) | WATER POLO | Definition: sport
PO (Italian river) in WATERLO[O] |
English medic and old PM almost ready for fight (8) | EMBATTLE | Definition: ready for fight
E + MB + ATTLE[E] |
Cousins excelled at this, working at desk (6) | SKATED | Definition: Cousins excelled at this
(AT DESK)* – reference to the Olympic skater Robin Cousins, but surely the definition would give "skating"; perhaps "Cousins did this" would be better |
Snowman? College erected it (5) | INUIT | Definition: Snowman
Reverse of UNI[versity] + IT |
Yell for one during tennis lesson (4) | ISLE | Definition: Yell for one
Hidden in tennIS LEsson; YELL is the second largest of the Shetland Islands |
Attend a soldier's party and make a run for it (4,1,7) | BEAT A RETREAT | Definition: make a run for it
BE AT (attend) + A RE (a soldier) + TREAT (party) |
Taxidermist initially given rotting body part (5) | THIGH | Definition: body part
T[axidermist] + HIGH (rotting) |
Giant mice to be dealt with? That's baffling! (9) | ENIGMATIC | Definition: baffling
(GIANT MICE) |
Qualified as proficient in goal (7) | ENABLED | Definition: Qualified
ABLE (proficient) in END (goal) |
Composure of bishop getting a puncture (7) | BALANCE | Definition: Composure
B + A LANCE |
Steel drain modified for rabbits (10) | TAILENDERS | Definition: rabbits
(STEEL DRAIN)* – I think the definition is a reference to cricket, where a rabbit is a poor player, who might be a tailender in the batting order |
Holy man keeps Jerry in place (4) | SPOT | Definition: place
PO (chamber pot, jerry) in ST (saint) |
Dutch painting is flash (4) | DART | Definition: flash
D + ART |
An abstainer cut with stiletto when driving (2,3,5) | AT THE WHEEL | Definition: when driving
A + TT (teetotaller, abstainer) + HEW (cut) + HEEL (stiletto) |
Rocky appearance of dated hairstyle (7) | OUTCROP | Definition: Rocky appearance
OUT (unfashionable, dated) + CROP (hairstyle, as in e.g. Eton crop)) |
Dodgy American parking in camp (7) | SUSPECT | Definition: Dodgy
US + P in SECT (political or religious camp) |
Nearly let loose for ever (9) | ETERNALLY | Definition: for ever
(NEARLY LET) |
'oists part of the roof (5) | EAVES | Definition: part of the roof
[h]EAVES |
Gold casket marked and scored (12) | ORCHESTRATED | Definition: scored
OR (gold) + CHEST (casket) + RATED (marked); "scored" in the musical sense |
Senior officer to fix promotion during last stand (9) | BRIGADIER | Definition: Senior officer
RIG AD in BIER (stand for a coffin) |
Pains gripping sick old Greek (8) | ACHILLES | Definition: old Greek
ILL in ACHES |
Mark tucks into a scotch — that's better (5) | AMEND | Definition: better
M in A END (to scotch) |
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