0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Head of finance in love is unusually articulate (8)	VOCALISE	Definition: articulate CA (Chief Accountant) in (LOVE IS)
Coofs trapping French lady in brasseries (7)	BAMMERS	Definition: Coofs MME (Madame) in BARS. Coof and bammer are both Scots words for a fool; bammer is a variant of bampot or barmpot
British girl swallowing last of pot in US rave-ups (6)	BLASTS	Definition: US rave-ups B + [po]T in LASS
English name for Trèves: it's familiar to mountaineers (6)	ETRIER	Definition: it's familiar to mountaineers E + TRIER (formerly known in English as Trèves); an etrier is a short rope ladder used in mpountaineering
Popular circus character, hard up (4)	EROS	Definition: Popular circus character Reverse of SORE (hard) – the "circus character" is the famous statue in Piccadilly Circus, usually called Eros, though it actually depicts his brother Anteros
Burnsian pie, still with a bit of pastry on it (4)	PYET	Definition: Burnsian pie P[astry] + YET
One beyond the wall once lives well, having climbed up (4)	OSSI	Definition: One beyond the wall once Reverse of IS SO – slang for an East German
Herb Alpert's debut, one regularly covered by British Sign Language (5)	BASIL	Definition: Herb A[lpert] and I (one) inserted regularly into BSL
Complex to explain (9)	ELABORATE	Definition: Complex Double definition
Passing time with artist playing tennis (9)	TRANSIENT	Definition: Passing T RA (artist) + TENNIS
Catholic girl's lesson in style (5)	CLASS	Definition: lesson C + LASS, and two definitions
Leader's a supporter of independence? (7)	SKIPPER	Definition: Leader S (from Leader'S) + KIPPER (member of UKIP, supporter of so-called "independence")
Wow! Not even posh journalist suffered an attack of the giggles (7)	CORPSED	Definition: suffered an attack of the giggles COR (wow) + odd letters of PoSh + ED – to corpse is to laugh uncontrollably when on stage
'After dark' piece on the radio (5)	NIGHT	Definition: After dark Homophone of "knight" (chess piece)
Slow boat merely capsized … (3)	TUB	Definition: Slow boat Reverse of BUT (merely, only); is "capsized" a valid reversal indicator for an across clue (cf yesterday's discussions…)
… crew too heavy? Not half! (5)	EIGHT	Definition: crew Half of overwEIGHT – the crew of a rowing eight
Dishes a world away, fine for the Springboks? (7,6)	WALDORF SALADS	Definition: Dishes (A WORLD) + F[ine] + S.A. LADS (as the Springboks might be described)
Up-to-date creep keeps dashing out (2,5)	IN TOUCH	Definition: Up-to-date OUT* in INCH (to creep)
Where to stay after golf? (5)	HOTEL	Definition: Where to stay Double definition – a place to stay, and Hotel comes after Golf in the NATO phonetic alphabet
Seducer of fifty-one sexy maidens (6,3)	LADIES’ MAN	Definition: Seducer L (50) + A (1) + MAIDENS
One should look thoroughly for trendy magazine wanting adult's clothing (9)	INSPECTOR	Definition: One should look thoroughly IN (trendy) + SPECTATOR (magazine) less (wanting) the "clothes" of AdulT
Change shirt owned by real model (5)	ALTER	Definition: Change T (shirt) in REAL
Help one gamble (4)	ABET	Definition: Help A + BET
Paces about at home, close to staying, then getting away (8)	ESCAPING	Definition: getting away PACES* + IN (at home) + [stayin]G
Luxurious and rich, 80%+ (4)	PLUS	Definition: + 80% of PLUSH
Rodent's sin: entering waste flow (5,3)	SEWER RAT	Definition: Rodent ERR in WASTE
Approach tailless urban feline from behind (6)	TACTIC	Definition: Approach Reverse of CIT[y] CAT
Accompanying dog into party about books (10)	CONCURRENT	Definition: Accompanying CUR in CON (Conservative party) + RE (about) + NT (New Testament, books)
Looks up and down (4)	SEES	Definition: Looks SEES is a palindrome
Power is rising by three quarters (5)	SINEW	Definition: Power Reverse of SI + N, E, W (compass points)
Anaesthetise small dog biting tot, else in trouble (3,2,5)	PUT TO SLEEP	Definition: Anaesthetise TOT + ELSE* in PUP
Cockney wife's nationality … (5)	DUTCH	Definition: Cockney wife Double definition. Dutch for wife, as in the music-hall song "My Old Dutch" is a shortening of "Duchess"; but not, as sometimes claimed, rhyming slang from "Duchess of Fife" – see here for more
… their old money, trading capital for a billion workers (8)	BUILDERS	Definition: workers GUILDERS (old Dutch currency) with the first letter replaced by B[illion]
Most of bottle satisfied special connoisseurs (8)	GOURMETS	Definition: connoisseurs GOUR[d] + MET (satisfied) + S[pecial]
Most recent Hollywood trial? (6)	LATEST	Definition: Most recent LA (Los Angeles) TEST
Documents describe the end of government cuts (6)	FILETS	Definition: cuts [governmen]T in FILES
Hydrogen gas shock (4)	HAIR	Definition: shock H + AIR
Dash through Dixieland (4)	ELAN	Definition: Dash Hidden in dixiELANd
King managed to go up and annoy (4)	NARK	Definition: annoy Reverse of K RAN
Covert behaviour's appropriate, though heartless (7)	STEALTH	Definition: Covert behaviour STEAL (appropriate) + T[houg]H
Bail due for revision in hearing (7)	AUDIBLE	Definition: in hearing (BAIL DUE)
Bare minimum of instructional books — effectively treat as one (2,3,10)	IN THE ALTOGETHER	Definition: Bare I[nstructional] + NT (books) + HEAL TOGETHER
Gifts of pink and yellow roses to make up? (5,9)	PEACE OFFERINGS	Definition: Gifts of pink and yellow roses to make up I can't see this, except as a not-very-cryptic definition, perhaps involving the symbolism of rose colours
Reason address fails to start? One may be drunk (9)	RATIONALE	Definition: Reason [O]RATION (speech, address) + ALE (which may be drunk)
Vestment about to be given extravagant lining (5)	COTTA	Definition: Vestment OTT (extravagant) in CA (circa, about); a cotta is a kind of surplice
Gathering clamour breaks record (5)	CROWD	Definition: Gathering ROW (clamour) in CD
Powerful ray left sea bream floundering (5,4)	LASER BEAM	Definition: Powerful ray L + (SEA BREAM)
Glimpses tenor in embrace of lovelorn soprano (9)	SIGHTINGS	Definition: Glimpses T in SIGHING (loverlorn) + S
New acid revitalised battery (5)	NICAD	Definition: battery N + ACID* – short for Nickel-Cadmium, as in some rechargeable batteries
A tyrannical male condemned food processor (10,5)	ALIMENTARY CANAL	Definition: food processor (A TYRANNICAL MALE)
Showcase clothing in general (7,7)	KITCHEN DRESSER	Definition: Showcase DRESS (clothing) in KITCHENER (WW1 general)
There's no end of unstable footwear (7)	SLIPPER	Definition: footwear SLIPPER[y]
Particularly reliable source of cash among sweetshop's stock? (5,6,4)	EXTRA STRONG MINT	Definition: among sweetshop's stock EXTRA STRONG (particularly reliable) + MINT (where cash is made)
Vassal's superior, grand persona sent up in song (5,4)	LIEGE LORD	Definition: Vassal's superior G + reverse of ROLE (persona) in LIED (song)
Below-zero greeting? (5)	HELLO	Definition: greeting HELLO ("below") + 0
Distance from a kid climbing headland (9)	ALOOFNESS	Definition: Distance A + reverse of FOOL (to kid) + NESS (headland)
Bleak start for Doctor Foster (5)	DREAR	Definition: Bleak D[octor] + REAR (to foster)
Like badly-synced dialogue offstage? (6,3,6)	BEHIND THE SCENES	Definition: offstage Double definition
Set up a route regularly crossing one continent or two (7)	EURASIA	Definition: two Reverse of A + alternate letters or RoUtE "crossing" or contaning I (one) SA (South America – one continent); Eurasia is geologically a single continent but historically regarded as two, so it would be nice to include "one continent or" in the definition, but that would mean the words were doing double duty
Favourite leader's lost weight where some US VIPs have gained stones (9)	ARLINGTON	Definition: where some US VIPs have gained stones DARLING (favourite) less its "leader" + TON (weight); Arlingont National Cemetery, near Washington DC, is mainly for military personnel (not necessarily VIPs) killed in war, but presidents can also be buried there, as John F Kennedy was
Extremely little basis for appalling narrative (9)	CHRONICLE	Definition: narrative CHRONIC (appaling) + L[ittl]E
Slavonic firms on fire (7)	COSSACK	Definition: Slavonic COS (companies, forms) + SACK (to fire)
A rum old collection assembled bit by bit (7)	MODULAR	Definition: assembled bit by bit (A RUM OLD)
Sufficient power to operate choppers (5)	TEETH	Definition: Sufficient power to operate Double definition
Perceptive wife cleared out grate (5)	SHRED	Definition: grate SHREWD less W
Alleged killer tan Her Majesty sports, with A&E, for once, not needed (5,8)	JAMES HANRATTY	Definition: Alleged killer Anagram of of TAN HER MAJESTY, with an extra A and less one of the Es. James Hanratty known as the A6 Murderer, was one of the last few people to be hanged in the UK. There was much controversy about the case though recent DNA evidence apparently points to his guilt
Bit left over is not even intended for broadcast (7)	ODDMENT	Definition: Bit left over ODD (not even) + MENT (homophone of "meant")
Most are recycling one sort of plastic (7)	MAESTRO	Definition: one sort of plastic (MOST ARE)*; Maestro is a pre-paid debit card, hence a "sort of plastic"
Bug? There's a small number in a place over the pond (5)	ANNOY	Definition: Bug NO (number) in A NY
Now touring Channel Islands, knowing about things in advance (9)	PRESCIENT	Definition: knowing about things in advance CI in PRESENT
Airdrie resident's more in need of liquid refreshment (5)	DRIER	Definition: more in need of liquid refreshment Hidden in airDRIE Resident, with the inclusion indicated by the possessive 's
Nice area street map's showing in red, with nothing cut out (4,5)	COTE D’AZUR	Definition: Nice area AZ (street map – the "A to Z") in anagram of RED O CUT. Nice is the main city of the Côte d'Azur or French Riviera
Old fellows in charge, one wearing glasses by virtue of current position (2,7)	EX OFFICIO	Definition: by virtue of current position EX (old) + FF IC I in OO (glasses)
System for detecting characters involved in arson, repeatedly (5)	SONAR	Definition: System for detecting Hidden in arSON ARson; since SONAR and ARSON are anagrams, I think the clue would have worked without "repeatedly": no harm in it though
Tipping Point? It's where shoes may be fashionable pale yellow colour (4,5)	LAST STRAW	Definition: Tipping Point LAST (where shoes are ~~made~~ fashioned – thanks to TheZed) + STRAW (pale yellow)
Novel written using small pen (5)	SCOOP	Definition: Novel S + COOP – Evelyn Waugh's comic novel about overseas journalism
Possibly the last newspaper with adult material (7)	ORGANZA	Definition: material The last newspaper might be ORGAN Z, plus A
When drunk, mostly refuse gin shots (7)	GUNFIRE	Definition: shots Anagram of REFU[se] GIN, with a rather vague use of "mostly"
Honour tourist that's caught male killer (4,3,6)	JACK THE RIPPER	Definition: killer JACK (honour, in card games) + HE in TRIPPER
Two articles about daughter into running quite slowly (9)	ANDANTINO	Definition: quite slowly D in AN AN + INTO
An abrasive comedian (5)	EMERY	Definition: An abrasive Double definition: as in emery paper, used for smoothing, and comedian Dick Emery, who is likely to be unfamiliar to many younger solvers. We had EMERY PAPER in a Pasquale puzzle in December, clued as "Old comic publication seen as abrasive (5,5)"
Agitated by appearance of some white hairs? (3,2)	HET UP	Definition: Agitated HET is UP in whiTE Hairs
Deputy's short cut (6,3)	NUMBER TWO	Definition: Deputy Double definition: assistant and a short style of haircut
Some of the cell numbers American does care about (4,5)	AREA CODES	Definition: Some of the cell numbers A + (DOES CARE)* – an area code might be part of a cellphone number, in US terminology
Hat-wearing model? That's right (5)	TITLE	Definition: right T (model) in TILE (hat)
A Trump lie's non-malignant? It's a killer (6,7)	DONALD NEILSON	Definition: a killer DONALD (a Trump) + (LIES NON)*; Neilson was known as the Black Panther
Killer piano in Prince cover potentially, if you were to do this (6,7)	DOCTOR CRIPPEN	Definition: Killer If you were to DOCTOR (i.e. anagram) CRIPPEN, you could get P[iano] in ("covered by") PRINCE
Dissident wanting official employment upset relatives (9)	REFUSENIK	Definition: Dissident REF (referee, official) + USE + reverse of KIN
Spooner's music teacher? He's six feet under! (9)	COCKROACH	Definition: He's six feet under Spoonerism of ROCK COACH; cockroaches are insects, so have six legs
Pigment? Unknown number to ring for its formula (4,5)	ZINC OXIDE	Definition: Pigment The chemical formula of Zinc Oxide is ZnO – Z (unknown) + n (number) + O (ring); it's used as a white pigment
Letter E missing: game is lost (5)	SIGMA	Definition: Letter Anagram of (GAME IS) less E
Punt in which to practise going on river (5)	WAGER	Definition: Punt WAGE (to practise, as in wage war) + R
What happens soon after Aurora raises matter involving a Parisian (5)	SUNUP	Definition: What happens soon after Aurora UN (French "a") in reverse of PUS (matter); Aurora is the Roman goddess of dawn
Loud little boy turned modest (6)	FLASHY	Definition: Loud Reverse of ALF + SHY
Record playing in calm, calm water (8)	MILLPOND	Definition: calm water LP (record) ON (playing) in MILD (calm)
Saint high on life, ultimately blessed, starts back in big city (8)	ISTANBUL	Definition: big city SAINT* + reverse of the initial letters of Life Uttimately Blessed
Connect first of ropes and lift (6)	RELATE	Definition: Connect R[opes] + ELATE (to life)
Article of faith I spoon-feed to fool with solemn declaration (12,4,2,6)	PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE	Definition: solemn declaration A remarkable anagram, of ARTICLE OF FAITH I SPOON FEED
Writer's movement finished, author's right significantly advanced? (8)	UPSTROKE	Definition: Writer's movement UP (finished) + [Bram] STOKER, with the R "advanced" to an earlier position: "significantly" because it moves quite a long way
Curtain level in hole (8)	PORTIERE	Definition: Curtain TIER (level) in PORE (hole); a portière is "a curtain hung over a door or doorway."

Head of finance in love is unusually articulate (8)

VOCALISE

Definition: articulate CA (Chief Accountant) in (LOVE IS)

Coofs trapping French lady in brasseries (7)

BAMMERS

Definition: Coofs MME (Madame) in BARS. Coof and bammer are both Scots words for a fool; bammer is a variant of bampot or barmpot

British girl swallowing last of pot in US rave-ups (6)

BLASTS

Definition: US rave-ups B + [po]T in LASS

English name for Trèves: it's familiar to mountaineers (6)

ETRIER

Definition: it's familiar to mountaineers E + TRIER (formerly known in English as Trèves); an etrier is a short rope ladder used in mpountaineering

Popular circus character, hard up (4)

EROS

Definition: Popular circus character Reverse of SORE (hard) – the "circus character" is the famous statue in Piccadilly Circus, usually called Eros, though it actually depicts his brother Anteros

Burnsian pie, still with a bit of pastry on it (4)

PYET

Definition: Burnsian pie P[astry] + YET

One beyond the wall once lives well, having climbed up (4)

OSSI

Definition: One beyond the wall once Reverse of IS SO – slang for an East German

Herb Alpert's debut, one regularly covered by British Sign Language (5)

BASIL

Definition: Herb A[lpert] and I (one) inserted regularly into BSL

Complex to explain (9)

ELABORATE

Definition: Complex Double definition

Passing time with artist playing tennis (9)

TRANSIENT

Definition: Passing T RA (artist) + TENNIS

Catholic girl's lesson in style (5)

CLASS

Definition: lesson C + LASS, and two definitions

Leader's a supporter of independence? (7)

SKIPPER

Definition: Leader S (from Leader'S) + KIPPER (member of UKIP, supporter of so-called "independence")

Wow! Not even posh journalist suffered an attack of the giggles (7)

CORPSED

Definition: suffered an attack of the giggles COR (wow) + odd letters of PoSh + ED – to corpse is to laugh uncontrollably when on stage

'After dark' piece on the radio (5)

NIGHT

Definition: After dark Homophone of "knight" (chess piece)

Slow boat merely capsized … (3)

TUB

Definition: Slow boat Reverse of BUT (merely, only); is "capsized" a valid reversal indicator for an across clue (cf yesterday's discussions…)

… crew too heavy? Not half! (5)

EIGHT

Definition: crew Half of overwEIGHT – the crew of a rowing eight

Dishes a world away, fine for the Springboks? (7,6)

WALDORF SALADS

Definition: Dishes (A WORLD) + F[ine] + S.A. LADS (as the Springboks might be described)

Up-to-date creep keeps dashing out (2,5)

IN TOUCH

Definition: Up-to-date OUT* in INCH (to creep)

Where to stay after golf? (5)

HOTEL

Definition: Where to stay Double definition – a place to stay, and Hotel comes after Golf in the NATO phonetic alphabet

Seducer of fifty-one sexy maidens (6,3)

LADIES’ MAN

Definition: Seducer L (50) + A (1) + MAIDENS

One should look thoroughly for trendy magazine wanting adult's clothing (9)

INSPECTOR

Definition: One should look thoroughly IN (trendy) + SPECTATOR (magazine) less (wanting) the "clothes" of AdulT

Change shirt owned by real model (5)

ALTER

Definition: Change T (shirt) in REAL

Help one gamble (4)

ABET

Definition: Help A + BET

Paces about at home, close to staying, then getting away (8)

ESCAPING

Definition: getting away PACES* + IN (at home) + [stayin]G

Luxurious and rich, 80%+ (4)

PLUS

Definition: + 80% of PLUSH

Rodent's sin: entering waste flow (5,3)

SEWER RAT

Definition: Rodent ERR in WASTE

Approach tailless urban feline from behind (6)

TACTIC

Definition: Approach Reverse of CIT[y] CAT

Accompanying dog into party about books (10)

CONCURRENT

Definition: Accompanying CUR in CON (Conservative party) + RE (about) + NT (New Testament, books)

Looks up and down (4)

SEES

Definition: Looks SEES is a palindrome

Power is rising by three quarters (5)

SINEW

Definition: Power Reverse of SI + N, E, W (compass points)

Anaesthetise small dog biting tot, else in trouble (3,2,5)

PUT TO SLEEP

Definition: Anaesthetise TOT + ELSE* in PUP

Cockney wife's nationality … (5)

DUTCH

Definition: Cockney wife Double definition. Dutch for wife, as in the music-hall song "My Old Dutch" is a shortening of "Duchess"; but not, as sometimes claimed, rhyming slang from "Duchess of Fife" – see here for more

… their old money, trading capital for a billion workers (8)

BUILDERS

Definition: workers GUILDERS (old Dutch currency) with the first letter replaced by B[illion]

Most of bottle satisfied special connoisseurs (8)

GOURMETS

Definition: connoisseurs GOUR[d] + MET (satisfied) + S[pecial]

Most recent Hollywood trial? (6)

LATEST

Definition: Most recent LA (Los Angeles) TEST

Documents describe the end of government cuts (6)

FILETS

Definition: cuts [governmen]T in FILES

Hydrogen gas shock (4)

HAIR

Definition: shock H + AIR

Dash through Dixieland (4)

ELAN

Definition: Dash Hidden in dixiELANd

King managed to go up and annoy (4)

NARK

Definition: annoy Reverse of K RAN

Covert behaviour's appropriate, though heartless (7)

STEALTH

Definition: Covert behaviour STEAL (appropriate) + T[houg]H

Bail due for revision in hearing (7)

AUDIBLE

Definition: in hearing (BAIL DUE)

Bare minimum of instructional books — effectively treat as one (2,3,10)

IN THE ALTOGETHER

Definition: Bare I[nstructional] + NT (books) + HEAL TOGETHER

Gifts of pink and yellow roses to make up? (5,9)

PEACE OFFERINGS

Definition: Gifts of pink and yellow roses to make up I can't see this, except as a not-very-cryptic definition, perhaps involving the symbolism of rose colours

Reason address fails to start? One may be drunk (9)

RATIONALE

Definition: Reason [O]RATION (speech, address) + ALE (which may be drunk)

Vestment about to be given extravagant lining (5)

COTTA

Definition: Vestment OTT (extravagant) in CA (circa, about); a cotta is a kind of surplice

Gathering clamour breaks record (5)

CROWD

Definition: Gathering ROW (clamour) in CD

Powerful ray left sea bream floundering (5,4)

LASER BEAM

Definition: Powerful ray L + (SEA BREAM)

Glimpses tenor in embrace of lovelorn soprano (9)

SIGHTINGS

Definition: Glimpses T in SIGHING (loverlorn) + S

New acid revitalised battery (5)

NICAD

Definition: battery N + ACID* – short for Nickel-Cadmium, as in some rechargeable batteries

A tyrannical male condemned food processor (10,5)

ALIMENTARY CANAL

Definition: food processor (A TYRANNICAL MALE)

Showcase clothing in general (7,7)

KITCHEN DRESSER

Definition: Showcase DRESS (clothing) in KITCHENER (WW1 general)

There's no end of unstable footwear (7)

SLIPPER

Definition: footwear SLIPPER[y]

Particularly reliable source of cash among sweetshop's stock? (5,6,4)

EXTRA STRONG MINT

Definition: among sweetshop's stock EXTRA STRONG (particularly reliable) + MINT (where cash is made)

Vassal's superior, grand persona sent up in song (5,4)

LIEGE LORD

Definition: Vassal's superior G + reverse of ROLE (persona) in LIED (song)

Below-zero greeting? (5)

HELLO

Definition: greeting HELLO ("below") + 0

Distance from a kid climbing headland (9)

ALOOFNESS

Definition: Distance A + reverse of FOOL (to kid) + NESS (headland)

Bleak start for Doctor Foster (5)

DREAR

Definition: Bleak D[octor] + REAR (to foster)

Like badly-synced dialogue offstage? (6,3,6)

BEHIND THE SCENES

Definition: offstage Double definition

Set up a route regularly crossing one continent or two (7)

EURASIA

Definition: two Reverse of A + alternate letters or RoUtE "crossing" or contaning I (one) SA (South America – one continent); Eurasia is geologically a single continent but historically regarded as two, so it would be nice to include "one continent or" in the definition, but that would mean the words were doing double duty

Favourite leader's lost weight where some US VIPs have gained stones (9)

ARLINGTON

Definition: where some US VIPs have gained stones DARLING (favourite) less its "leader" + TON (weight); Arlingont National Cemetery, near Washington DC, is mainly for military personnel (not necessarily VIPs) killed in war, but presidents can also be buried there, as John F Kennedy was

Extremely little basis for appalling narrative (9)

CHRONICLE

Definition: narrative CHRONIC (appaling) + L[ittl]E

Slavonic firms on fire (7)

COSSACK

Definition: Slavonic COS (companies, forms) + SACK (to fire)

A rum old collection assembled bit by bit (7)

MODULAR

Definition: assembled bit by bit (A RUM OLD)

Sufficient power to operate choppers (5)

TEETH

Definition: Sufficient power to operate Double definition

Perceptive wife cleared out grate (5)

SHRED

Definition: grate SHREWD less W

Alleged killer tan Her Majesty sports, with A&E, for once, not needed (5,8)

JAMES HANRATTY

Definition: Alleged killer Anagram of of TAN HER MAJESTY, with an extra A and less one of the Es. James Hanratty known as the A6 Murderer, was one of the last few people to be hanged in the UK. There was much controversy about the case though recent DNA evidence apparently points to his guilt

Bit left over is not even intended for broadcast (7)

ODDMENT

Definition: Bit left over ODD (not even) + MENT (homophone of "meant")

Most are recycling one sort of plastic (7)

MAESTRO

Definition: one sort of plastic (MOST ARE)*; Maestro is a pre-paid debit card, hence a "sort of plastic"

Bug? There's a small number in a place over the pond (5)

ANNOY

Definition: Bug NO (number) in A NY

Now touring Channel Islands, knowing about things in advance (9)

PRESCIENT

Definition: knowing about things in advance CI in PRESENT

Airdrie resident's more in need of liquid refreshment (5)

DRIER

Definition: more in need of liquid refreshment Hidden in airDRIE Resident, with the inclusion indicated by the possessive 's

Nice area street map's showing in red, with nothing cut out (4,5)

COTE D’AZUR

Definition: Nice area AZ (street map – the "A to Z") in anagram of RED O CUT. Nice is the main city of the Côte d'Azur or French Riviera

Old fellows in charge, one wearing glasses by virtue of current position (2,7)

EX OFFICIO

Definition: by virtue of current position EX (old) + FF IC I in OO (glasses)

System for detecting characters involved in arson, repeatedly (5)

SONAR

Definition: System for detecting Hidden in arSON ARson; since SONAR and ARSON are anagrams, I think the clue would have worked without "repeatedly": no harm in it though

Tipping Point? It's where shoes may be fashionable pale yellow colour (4,5)

LAST STRAW

Definition: Tipping Point LAST (where shoes are ~~made~~ fashioned – thanks to TheZed) + STRAW (pale yellow)

Novel written using small pen (5)

SCOOP

Definition: Novel S + COOP – Evelyn Waugh's comic novel about overseas journalism

Possibly the last newspaper with adult material (7)

ORGANZA

Definition: material The last newspaper might be ORGAN Z, plus A

When drunk, mostly refuse gin shots (7)

GUNFIRE

Definition: shots Anagram of REFU[se] GIN, with a rather vague use of "mostly"

Honour tourist that's caught male killer (4,3,6)

JACK THE RIPPER

Definition: killer JACK (honour, in card games) + HE in TRIPPER

Two articles about daughter into running quite slowly (9)

ANDANTINO

Definition: quite slowly D in AN AN + INTO

An abrasive comedian (5)

EMERY

Definition: An abrasive Double definition: as in emery paper, used for smoothing, and comedian Dick Emery, who is likely to be unfamiliar to many younger solvers. We had EMERY PAPER in a Pasquale puzzle in December, clued as "Old comic publication seen as abrasive (5,5)"

Agitated by appearance of some white hairs? (3,2)

HET UP

Definition: Agitated HET is UP in whiTE Hairs

Deputy's short cut (6,3)

NUMBER TWO

Definition: Deputy Double definition: assistant and a short style of haircut

Some of the cell numbers American does care about (4,5)

AREA CODES

Definition: Some of the cell numbers A + (DOES CARE)* – an area code might be part of a cellphone number, in US terminology

Hat-wearing model? That's right (5)

TITLE

Definition: right T (model) in TILE (hat)

A Trump lie's non-malignant? It's a killer (6,7)

DONALD NEILSON

Definition: a killer DONALD (a Trump) + (LIES NON)*; Neilson was known as the Black Panther

Killer piano in Prince cover potentially, if you were to do this (6,7)

DOCTOR CRIPPEN

Definition: Killer If you were to DOCTOR (i.e. anagram) CRIPPEN, you could get P[iano] in ("covered by") PRINCE

Dissident wanting official employment upset relatives (9)

REFUSENIK

Definition: Dissident REF (referee, official) + USE + reverse of KIN

Spooner's music teacher? He's six feet under! (9)

COCKROACH

Definition: He's six feet under Spoonerism of ROCK COACH; cockroaches are insects, so have six legs

Pigment? Unknown number to ring for its formula (4,5)

ZINC OXIDE

Definition: Pigment The chemical formula of Zinc Oxide is ZnO – Z (unknown) + n (number) + O (ring); it's used as a white pigment

Letter E missing: game is lost (5)

SIGMA

Definition: Letter Anagram of (GAME IS) less E

Punt in which to practise going on river (5)

WAGER

Definition: Punt WAGE (to practise, as in wage war) + R

What happens soon after Aurora raises matter involving a Parisian (5)

SUNUP

Definition: What happens soon after Aurora UN (French "a") in reverse of PUS (matter); Aurora is the Roman goddess of dawn

Loud little boy turned modest (6)

FLASHY

Definition: Loud Reverse of ALF + SHY

Record playing in calm, calm water (8)

MILLPOND

Definition: calm water LP (record) ON (playing) in MILD (calm)

Saint high on life, ultimately blessed, starts back in big city (8)

ISTANBUL

Definition: big city SAINT* + reverse of the initial letters of Life Uttimately Blessed

Connect first of ropes and lift (6)

RELATE

Definition: Connect R[opes] + ELATE (to life)

Article of faith I spoon-feed to fool with solemn declaration (12,4,2,6)

PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE

Definition: solemn declaration A remarkable anagram, of ARTICLE OF FAITH I SPOON FEED

Writer's movement finished, author's right significantly advanced? (8)

UPSTROKE

Definition: Writer's movement UP (finished) + [Bram] STOKER, with the R "advanced" to an earlier position: "significantly" because it moves quite a long way

Curtain level in hole (8)

PORTIERE

Definition: Curtain TIER (level) in PORE (hole); a portière is "a curtain hung over a door or doorway."