0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Take in various keys, say, and polish roughly (6-3)	ISLAND-HOP	Definition: Take in various keys, say A0(… roughly) AND POLISH. Defn: To take in/to tour, going from one key/a low-lying island to another.
Gaudy little skirts are popular with consumers (8)	TINSELLY	Definition: Gaudy TINY(little in size) containing(skirts) SELL(describing items that are popular with consumers/customers, as in "iPhones sell".
One nameless dreamer with a bouquet (8)	AROMATIC	Definition: with a bouquet A(one/a single) + "romantic"(a dreamer/one with idealised views of reality) minus(…less) "n"(abbrev. for "name"). Defn: …/having the characteristic scent/aroma of wine or perfume.
Revolutionary Communist wears brown, without exception (2,1,3)	TO A MAN	Definition: without exception Reversal of(Revolutionary) MAO(Zedong, Chinese Communist) contained in(wears) TAN(a brownish colour).
Banking centre, say, raised what's held in Russian banks (6)	GENEVA	Definition: Banking centre Reversal of(…, raised, in a down clue) EG(abbrev. for "exempli gratia"/for example/say) + NEVA(a river in Russia/what is held within river banks in Russia). Defn: …/a financial centre in Switzerland.
Son has ice cream or small cake (5)	SCONE	Definition: small cake S(abbrev. for "son") plus(has) CONE(short for an ice cone).
Mike and Heather enthralled by an advanced style of country music? (9)	AMERICANA	Definition: style of country music [ M(letter represented by "Mike" in the phonetic alphabet) plus(and) ERICA(the genus of shrubs, including heather) ] contained in(enthralled by) [AN + A(abbrev. for "advanced") ]. Defn: …, aka American roots music, combining styles such as country and western, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues.
Fast vehicle ditched by Shell? (5)	APACE	Definition: Fast "car"(a motorised vehicle) deleted from(ditched by) "carapace"(the hard upper shell of, say, a tortoise).
Knitter knitted knick-knack (7)	TRINKET	Definition: knick-knack Anagram of(… knitted) KNITTER.
Excel is almost certain to change (7)	SURPASS	Definition: Excel Last letter deleted from(almost) "sure"(certain/doubtless) + PASS(to change from one state to another, as in "he can pass from being docile to being disobedient in a moment").
Force trainee to execute 'duck and cover', primarily when retreating (5)	CADET	Definition: Force trainee Reversal of(… when retreating) 1st letters, respectively, of(…, primarily) "to execute 'duck and cover'". Defn: Trainee in a force, such as the army.
Old New Zealand admiral on manoeuvres (9)	MAORILAND	Definition: Old New Zealand Anagram of(… manoeuvres) ADMIRAL ON. Defn: An obsolete/old name for New Zealand.
Literary adventurer disturbed lingerer grabbing tool for opening letter (9,6)	PEREGRINE PICKLE	Definition: Literary adventurer [ Anagram of(disturbed) LINGERER containing(grabbing) PICK(a tool for breaking up ground or stone) ] contained in(for opening) PEE(the letter "P"). Defn: …, protagonist in "The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle", first published in mid-18th C.
Condition may seem poor around edges of pitch (9)	EMPHYSEMA	Definition: Condition Anagram of(… poor) MAY SEEM containing(around) 1st and last letters of(edges of) "pitch". Defn: …, specifically an irreversible disease affecting the lungs.
Nine divine females married pursuers off and on (5)	MUSES	Definition: Nine divine females M(abbrev. for "married") + 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th letters of(… off and on) "pursuers". Defn: …, viz. the nine sister goddesses in Greek and Roman mythology each of whom oversee a different branch of the arts and sciences.
Notice call to work (5-2)	HEAVE-HO	Definition: Notice,call to work Double defn: 1st: …/a dismissal from, say, employment, as in "he was given the heave-ho after his major screw-up"; and 2nd: An expression calling for exertion/a call to work, as when sailors are manually raising an anchor.
Handcuff a salt arrested by setter (7)	MANACLE	Definition: Handcuff [ A + NACL(the symbol for the chemical compound, sodium chloride, a salt formed from sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid) ] contained in(arrested by) ME(self-referential pronoun for the setter of this crossword).
Wrestler returned inside box-like zone (5)	OZEKI	Definition: Wrestler Hidden in(inside) reversal of(returned) "box-like zone". Defn: …/a sumo wrestling champion.
Mobile meters, say — one way to repay debt (4,5)	EASY TERMS	Definition: one way to repay debt Anagram of(Mobile) METERS, SAY. Defn: A way of paying money owed/repaying a debt, viz. in multiple instalments instead of one lumpsum.
Tiny piece about centrally stripped grammatical form (10)	PARTICIPLE	Definition: grammatical form PARTICLE(a tiny piece/a very small portion of matter) containing(about) middle 2 letters of(centrally) "stripped". Defn: …, specifically a word formed from a verb that can function as a verb as well as an adjective.
Confuse order to let one's hair down? (8)	BEWILDER	Definition: Confuse ["BE WILDER!"](an order/exhortation to be less restrained and more excited/let one's hair down).
Mostly wonderful, tense batter's innings (6)	WICKET	Definition: batter's innings Last letter deleted from(Mostly) "wicked"(informal term for "wonderful!"/excellent!) + T(abbrev. for "tense"). Defn: …/in cricket, the time during which a batsman/batter is at bat, and that represents his innings.
Engineer, eh? So it's said (4)	WATT	Definition: Engineer Homophone of(… So it's said) "what?"(like "eh?" an expression asking for clarification of what was said, as "Eh?"/"What (did you just say)?". Defn: Scottish mechanical …, after whom the unit of power was named.
Character in Othello reported noble group of stars (10)	CASSIOPEIA	Definition: group of stars CASSIO(a character in the Shakespearean tragedy, "Othello") + homophone of(reported) "peer"(a nobleman).
Damn shower beginning to irritate Gulf national (8)	BAHRAINI	Definition: Gulf national BAH!(like "damn!", an expression of annoyance) + RAIN(a shower/a large quantity of things that fall or descend) + 1st letter of(beginning to) "irritate". Defn: …, specifically from the Gulf State of Bahrain.
Covering of slate on a dam (6)	PANAMA	Definition: Covering PAN(to slate/to criticise severely) placed above(on, in a down clue) A + MA(a familiar term for "mother"/a female parent/a dam, in reference to an animal). Defn: … for one's head.
Extremely fickle twin sons own up (4)	FESS	Definition: own up 1st and last letters of(Extremely) "fickle" + 2x(twin) S(abbrev. for "son"). Defn: Short for "confess"/to ….
Spell in which nobody gets the runs (6,4)	MAIDEN OVER	Definition: Spell in which nobody gets the runs Cryptic defn: In cricket, an over/a spell or period of six consecutive correctly bowled balls in which no runs are scored.
Style doctor introducing several points (5,5)	DRESS SENSE	Definition: Style DR(abbrev. for "doctor") + 1st letters, retrospectively, of(introducing) "east, south, south, south, east, north, south, east"(several compass points).
Alcohol clergy bottled at home (8)	GLYCERIN	Definition: Alcohol Anagram of(… bottled/hit, as with a bottle?) CLERGY + IN(at home/not outdoors). Answer: … or glycerine or glycerol, one of the class of chemical compounds called the alcohols.
Lock web address after X linked to copyright (4-4)	KISS CURL	Definition: Lock URL(abbrev. for "Uniform Resource Locator", the address of a webpage on the Internet) placed below(after, in a down clue) [ KISS(in written form, represented by "X") plus(linked to) C(abbrev. for "copyright", as in ©) ]. Defn: … of hair … sported by both sexes:
Beggar's right to stop one who'll cough up (6)	PRAYER	Definition: Beggar R(abbrev. for "right") contained in(to stop) PAYER(one who'll cough up/pay the bill). Defn: One who prays/begs would be a "beg-ger", or ungrammatically, a "beg-gar". The clue could have done with a homophone indicator.
Tiny setter's amphibian is caught (6)	MINUTE	Definition: Tiny Homophone of(… is caught/overheard) [ "my"(self-referential possessive pronoun for the setter of this crossword/setter's) + "newt"(a lizard-like amphibious creature) ].
Catch punch (4)	HOOK	Definition: Catch,punch Double defn: 1st: … with, well, a hook; and 2nd: A short swinging blow/… made with the elbow bent.
Bible book briefly picked up before end of religious service (4)	MASS	Definition: service Reversal of(… picked up, in a down clue) SAM(abbrev. for /briefly "Samuel", a book in the Hebrew Bible) plus(before) last letter of(end of) "religious". Defn: A religious ….
Clubs worker's sacked, caught breaking bottle opener (9)	CORKSCREW	Definition: bottle opener C(abbrev. for "clubs", one of the 4 suits in a deck of playing cards) + anagram of(… sacked) WORKER'S containing(… breaking) C(abbrev. for "caught" in cricket scores). Zany (or screwy) ones:
Natural gemstones not right for rings (5)	PEALS	Definition: rings "pearls"(natural gemstones formed within the shell of the oyster) minus(not) "r"(abbrev. for "right"). Defn: …/makes a sound that bells make or like that of bells ringing.
Detective managed to retire without getting to rock bottom (5)	NADIR	Definition: rock bottom DI(abbrev. for "detective inspector") contained in(… without) reversal of(… to retire) RAN(managed, say, an organisation).
Carpeting tripped tot heading off toddling inside (7-2)	TALKING-TO	Definition: Carpeting Anagram of(tripped) TOT containing(… inside) 1st letter deleted from(heading off) "walking"("toddling", describing a young child/tot learning to walk with unsteady steps). Defn: …/a scolding face to face.
Dislikes trapping poor mouse for co-residents (10)	HOUSEMATES	Definition: co-residents HATES(dislikes/loathes) containing(trapping) anagram of(poor) MOUSE.
Wally's quick rejoinder partly backfired (4)	JERK	Definition: Wally Hidden in(… partly) reversal of(… backfired) "quick rejoinder". Defn: …/a silly person.
Large number of British having trouble at home with nothing coming in (7)	BILLION	Definition: Large number B(abbrev. for "British") plus(having) ILL(trouble/misfortune) + IN(at home/not outdoors) containing(with … coming in) O(letter shaped like 0/nothing).
So distant up to now (4,3)	THUS FAR	Definition: up to now THUS(so/in this way) + FAR(distant/being some distance away).
Let's go travelling, tour's beginning on your bike (3,4)	GET LOST	Definition: on your bike Anagram of(… travelling) LET'S GO + 1st letter of(…'s beginning) "tour". Defn: …!/"Shoo!"
Almost everything eaten by sea creature's foul! (7)	SQUALID	Definition: foul Last letter deleted from(Almost) "all"(everything) contained in(eaten by) SQUID(sea creature with an elongated body and many tentacles). Defn: …/filthy.
Thin line moving between English and American style (4)	ELAN	Definition: style LEAN(thin/spare) with "L"(abbrev. for "line") moving to between the E(abbrev. for "English") and the "A"(abbrev. for "American") in the word.
Team weakens, stuffed with southern hotel's extra food (4,6)	SIDE DISHES	Definition: extra food SIDE(team in a competitive match) + DIES(weakens/fades) containing(stuffed with) S(abbrev. for "southern") + H(letter represented by "hotel" in the phonetic alphabet).
One with no hope of French act winning (9)	DEFEATIST	Definition: One with no hope DE(French for "of") + FEAT(a very brave or difficult act/deed) + IST("1st"/first/winning, with the Roman numeral substitution). Defn: …/one who has given up hope and is ready to accept failure.
Letter from Greece is first of hundreds in Tate collection (5)	THETA	Definition: Letter from Greece 1st letter of(first of) "hundreds" contained in(in) anagram of(… collection) TATE. Defn: Letter in the Greek alphabet.
Hang around with dopehead's mate (5)	DALLY	Definition: Hang around 1st letter of(…head) "dope" plus(…'s/indicating possession) ALLY(mate/one you can depend on).
Endure, long after date that's absolutely final (4-5)	LAST-DITCH	Definition: absolutely final LAST(to endure/survive) + [ ITCH(to long for/to feel a strong desire) placed after(after) D(abbrev. for "date") ].
Church gathering incorporated piece of cake (5)	CINCH	Definition: piece of cake CH(abbrev. for "church") containing(gathering) INC(abbrev. for "Incorporated", as used in a business corporation's name). Defn: …/something that is easily done.
Redo short haircut for swimmer (3,6)	RED MULLET	Definition: swimmer "Redo" minus its last letter(short) + MULLET(a particular haircut/hairstyle). A non-swimming red mullet:
Film star rocks party, wearing nothing (6,4)	SCREEN IDOL	Definition: Film star SCREE(rocks/a mass of loose stones covering a mountain slope) + [ DO(a party/a social function) contained in(wearing) NIL(0/nothing) ]. … not exactly nothing.
Teach new skills online (7)	RETRAIN	Definition: Teach new skills RE(with reference to/"on") + TRAIN("line"/a group of vehicles moving in a line/column).
Most desolate quarter has listed building (7)	WILDEST	Definition: Most desolate W(abbrev. for "west", one of the four main compass points/quarter) plus(has) anagram of(… building) LISTED.
Brace for party leader broadcast (4)	PAIR	Definition: Brace 1st letter of(… leader) "party" + AIR(to broadcast over the radio or TV).
Regular guest is host for debate (5)	ARGUE	Definition: debate Hidden in(… is host) "Regular guest".
Day before American artist's retrospective, it's blocked (9)	SNOOKERED	Definition: blocked Reversal of(…'s retrospective) [ D(abbrev. for "day") + ERE(before in time) + KOONS(Jeff, American artist) ]. Defn: …/thwarted.
Indulged by wearing uniforms I'd later bother keeping (10)	LUXURIATED	Definition: Indulged [ X(symbol for multiplication/by) contained in(wearing) U,U(twice abbrev. for "uniform") ] contained in(… keeping) anagram of(… bother) I'D LATER.
Falsely superior large loaf has seeds occasionally (9)	BIGHEADED	Definition: Falsely superior BIG(large) + HEAD(in slang, "loaf"/a person's head) plus(has) 2nd and 4th letters of(… occasionally) "seeds".
The lift is out of order, being most dirty (9)	FILTHIEST	Definition: most dirty Anagram of(… out of order) THE LIFT IS.
Time opponent's taken over me is not significant (7)	TRIVIAL	Definition: not significant T(abbrev. for "time") + RIVAL(one's opponent/competitor) containing(…'s taken over) I(me, with the setter using the self-referential pronoun).
Detectives in violent tussle seizing drug (7)	SLEUTHS	Definition: Detectives Anagram of(violent) TUSSLE containing(seizing) H(abbrev. for the drug, heroin).
Terrible fellow you reportedly left after a week (5)	AWFUL	Definition: Terrible [ F(abbrev. for "fellow") + homophone of(… reportedly) "you" + L(abbrev. for "left") ] placed after(after) [ A + W(abbrev. for "week") ].
Mum's quiet after son in car accident (5)	SMASH	Definition: car accident [ MA(mum/one's mother) + SH!(exclamation demanding "silence!"/quiet!) ] placed after(after) S(abbrev. for "son").
Rejected new street map that's variable and eccentric (4)	ZANY	Definition: eccentric Reversal of(Rejected) [ N(abbrev. for "new") + AZ("A-Z", any of a range of street maps of a particular area published by the Geographers' A–Z Map Company, UK) ] plus(that's) Y(symbol for a variable quantity in mathematics).
Got made well again by non-amateur (8)	PROCURED	Definition: Got CURED(made well again/healed) placed after(by) PRO(short for "professional"/non-amateur); alternatively "healed by a professional".
Dad handles fruit (6)	PAPAWS	Definition: fruit PA(like "dad", an informal term for one's father) + PAWS(handles/touches clumsily with one's paws/hands). The North American fruit: … and the tropical "papaya" for which "pawpaw" is another name:
Sailors from Dover region having the last word (6)	SEAMEN	Definition: Sailors SE(abbrev. for "South-east", the region of England in which Dover is located) + AMEN(the last word in a prayer or hymn).
Lewdness unfortunately returning to conurbation (8)	SALACITY	Definition: Lewdness Reversal of(… returning) ALAS!(unfortunately/"sad to say") plus(to) CITY(a conurbation/an extended urban area).
Small room to dispose of commercially, we hear (4)	CELL	Definition: Small room Homophone of(…, we hear) "sell"(to dispose of commercially/to hand over in exchange for money).
Aggressive types in row at odds with Germans (10)	WARMONGERS	Definition: Aggressive types Anagram of(… at odds …) [ROW plus(with) GERMANS].
Cold plant location providing stuff for meal (8)	CROCKERY	Definition: stuff for meal C(abbrev. for "cold") + ROCKERY(plant location, viz. part of a garden with soil and small plants growing between rocks). Defn: …/utensils for eating with.
Cleaner sort of drama? (4)	SOAP	Definition: Cleaner,sort of drama Double defn: 1st: Substance for washing and cleaning; and 2nd: Short for "soap opera", a continuing serial about the lives of the same group of characters.
An objection from neighbour? (4)	ABUT	Definition: neighbour A(like "an", an article in grammar) + BUT(an objection/an argument against something, as in "no ifs and buts about it". Defn: …/to be situated next to.
No jolly fighters needing friendly help in the usual way of things (8)	NORMALLY	Definition: in the usual way of things NO + RM(abbrev. for the Royal Marines, a fighting unit consisting of sailors/jollies, informally) plus(needing) ALLY(a friendly help/one that supports).
Bird handler endlessly excited Pope (10)	HILDEBRAND	Definition: Pope Anagram of(… excited) [BIRD + "handler" minus its last letter(endlessly) ]. Defn: Birth name of Pope Gregory VII.
This writer's joining holy warriors (4)	IMPI	Definition: warriors I'M("I am"/the setter is, using the self-referential first person pronoun) plus(joining) PI(short for "pious"/holy, in a sanctimonious way).
King that is wanting alcoholic drink, a type of wine (8)	RIESLING	Definition: a type of wine R(abbrev. for "Rex"/King) + IE(abbrev. for "id est"/that is) plus(wanting) SLING(an alcoholic drink, viz. a cocktail of spirits with water and sweetened). Defn: …, viz. a dry white wine from a grape variety grown in Germany, Austria and elsewhere.
Talk about knight being decorated! (6)	ORNATE	Definition: decorated ORATE(to talk/to make a speech) containing(about) N(abbrev. for "knight", in chess notation). Defn: …/adorned.
Startled ruler meeting saint (6)	AGHAST	Definition: Startled AGHA(or "aga", a ruler, or, an honorific title from the Turkish for "master") plus(meeting) ST(abbrev. for "Saint").
Policy by US magazine — a help for survival (8)	LIFELINE	Definition: a help for survival LINE(a policy/an agreed approach towards doing or thinking something, as in "the official line on privatisation" placed after(by) LIFE(a US magazine); alternatively, "a policy of LIFE magazine").
Female bird always soaring round middle of lea (5)	REEVE	Definition: Female bird Reversal of(… soaring, in a down clue) EVER(always/at all times) containing(round) middle letter of(middle of) "lea". Defn: A female ruff. Two ruffed ruffs ready to court reeves:
Agreed to cooperate, keeping puss inside — not that easy? (11)	COMPLICATED	Definition: not that easy COMPLIED(agreed to cooperate/acted in accordance with) containing(keeping … inside) CAT(a feline/pussycat, or, puss in short).
Cut in money to be paid had to be acknowledged (8)	RENOWNED	Definition: acknowledged Last letter deleted from(Cut in) "rent"(money to be paid by the tenant to the landlord) + OWNED(had/possessed).
Something poisonous — oily danger gents dispersed (10,5)	DESTROYING ANGEL	Definition: Something poisonous Anagram of(… dispersed) OILY DANGER GENTS.
Prisoner, sick inside, getting support (6)	PILLOW	Definition: support POW(abbrev. for "prisoner of war") containing(… inside) ILL(sick/unwell). Defn: … for one's head when lying down or sleeping. One you might lose sleep over if it gets lost:
Illustration put up in municipality (3)	PIC	Definition: Illustration Hidden in(in) reversal of(put up …) "municipality". Defn: Short for "picture".
Cascade after breaking into barrier (9)	WATERFALL	Definition: Cascade Anagram of(… breaking) AFTER contained in(into) WALL(a barrier/a restriction).
Gale blowing round railway establishment in waiting period (11)	GESTATIONAL	Definition: in waiting period Anagram of(… blowing) GALE containing(round) STATION(a railway establishment/a passenger stop along a railway line). Defn: …/during the period between conception and birth inside the mother's womb.
Teacher smart, doing away with initial chattering (9)	RABBITING	Definition: chattering RABBI(a teacher of Judaism) + "sting"(to smart/to feel a sharp or burning pain) minus its 1st letter(doing away with initial).
Business not going well — compromise? (5-3)	TRADE-OFF	Definition: compromise TRADE(business/buy and sell transactions) OFF(not going well/doing poorly). Defn: …/to give and take.
Old boy given 'eave up — one going from bar to bar? (6)	OBOIST	Definition: one going from bar to bar OB(abbrev. for "old boy" of, say, a school or university) plus(given) 'OIST("hoist"/to haul up minus its 1st letter, similar to "heave"/to haul up minus its 1st letter). Defn: One playing/going from bar to bar, a bar being one of the sections into which a piece of music is divided.
Plate is plain, slightly chipped (5)	PATEN	Definition: Plate "patent"(plain/glaringly obvious) minus its last letter(slightly chipped).
Music request, the first to be put down (3)	SKA	Definition: Music ASK(to request/make a plea for something or for something to be done) with its 1st letter(the first) moved down to the bottom(to be put down, in a down clue). Defn: … originating in Jamaica in the 60s.
Nice here in secretive island (6)	SICILY	Definition: island ICI("here" in the language of Nice, France) contained in(in) SLY(secretive/sneaky). Defn: … in Italy.
Exciting to return 50% of wealth (8)	ELECTRIC	Definition: Exciting ELECT(to return a candidate in an election) + 1st 3 out of 6 letters of(50% of) "riches"(wealth/valuables).
Bridge odds on two queens (7)	SPANNER	Definition: Bridge SP(abbrev. for "starting prices", indicating the odds of winning in a horse race) plus(on) [ ANNE(English queen once) + R(abbrev. for "Regina"/Queen) ](two queens). Defn: A structure that bridges/spans across, say, a river, valley, gorge: … or canal even:
Dawn insures building (7)	SUNRISE	Definition: Dawn Anagram of(… building) INSURES.

Take in various keys, say, and polish roughly (6-3)

ISLAND-HOP

Definition: Take in various keys, say A0(… roughly) AND POLISH. Defn: To take in/to tour, going from one key/a low-lying island to another.

Gaudy little skirts are popular with consumers (8)

TINSELLY

Definition: Gaudy TINY(little in size) containing(skirts) SELL(describing items that are popular with consumers/customers, as in "iPhones sell".

One nameless dreamer with a bouquet (8)

AROMATIC

Definition: with a bouquet A(one/a single) + "romantic"(a dreamer/one with idealised views of reality) **minus**(…less) "n"(abbrev. for "name"). Defn: …/having the characteristic scent/aroma of wine or perfume.

Revolutionary Communist wears brown, without exception (2,1,3)

TO A MAN

Definition: without exception **Reversal of**(Revolutionary) MAO(Zedong, Chinese Communist) **contained in**(wears) TAN(a brownish colour).

Banking centre, say, raised what's held in Russian banks (6)

GENEVA

Definition: Banking centre **Reversal of**(…, raised, in a down clue) EG(abbrev. for "exempli gratia"/for example/say) + NEVA(a river in Russia/what is held within river banks in Russia). Defn: …/a financial centre in Switzerland.

Son has ice cream or small cake (5)

SCONE

Definition: small cake S(abbrev. for "son") **plus**(has) CONE(short for an ice cone).

Mike and Heather enthralled by an advanced style of country music? (9)

AMERICANA

Definition: style of country music [ M(letter represented by "Mike" in the phonetic alphabet) **plus**(and) ERICA(the genus of shrubs, including heather) ] **contained in**(enthralled by) [AN + A(abbrev. for "advanced") ]. Defn: …, aka American roots music, combining styles such as country and western, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues.

Fast vehicle ditched by Shell? (5)

APACE

Definition: Fast "car"(a motorised vehicle) **deleted from**(ditched by) "carapace"(the hard upper shell of, say, a tortoise).

Knitter knitted knick-knack (7)

TRINKET

Definition: knick-knack **Anagram of**(… knitted) KNITTER.

Excel is almost certain to change (7)

SURPASS

Definition: Excel **Last letter deleted from**(almost) "sure"(certain/doubtless) + PASS(to change from one state to another, as in "he can pass from being docile to being disobedient in a moment").

Force trainee to execute 'duck and cover', primarily when retreating (5)

CADET

Definition: Force trainee **Reversal of**(… when retreating) **1st letters, respectively, of**(…, primarily) "to execute 'duck and cover'". Defn: Trainee in a force, such as the army.

Old New Zealand admiral on manoeuvres (9)

MAORILAND

Definition: Old New Zealand **Anagram of**(… manoeuvres) ADMIRAL ON. Defn: An obsolete/old name for New Zealand.

Literary adventurer disturbed lingerer grabbing tool for opening letter (9,6)

PEREGRINE PICKLE

Definition: Literary adventurer [ **Anagram of**(disturbed) LINGERER **containing**(grabbing) PICK(a tool for breaking up ground or stone) ] **contained in**(for opening) PEE(the letter "P"). Defn: …, protagonist in "The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle", first published in mid-18th C.

Condition may seem poor around edges of pitch (9)

EMPHYSEMA

Definition: Condition **Anagram of**(… poor) MAY SEEM **containing**(around) **1st and last letters of**(edges of) "pitch". Defn: …, specifically an irreversible disease affecting the lungs.

Nine divine females married pursuers off and on (5)

MUSES

Definition: Nine divine females M(abbrev. for "married") + **2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th letters of**(… off and on) "pursuers". Defn: …, viz. the nine sister goddesses in Greek and Roman mythology each of whom oversee a different branch of the arts and sciences.

Notice call to work (5-2)

HEAVE-HO

Definition: Notice,call to work Double defn: 1st: …/a dismissal from, say, employment, as in "he was given the heave-ho after his major screw-up"; and 2nd: An expression calling for exertion/a call to work, as when sailors are manually raising an anchor.

Handcuff a salt arrested by setter (7)

MANACLE

Definition: Handcuff [ A + NACL(the symbol for the chemical compound, sodium chloride, a salt formed from sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid) ] **contained in**(arrested by) ME(self-referential pronoun for the setter of this crossword).

Wrestler returned inside box-like zone (5)

OZEKI

Definition: Wrestler **Hidden in**(inside) **reversal of**(returned) "box-like zone". Defn: …/a sumo wrestling champion.

Mobile meters, say — one way to repay debt (4,5)

EASY TERMS

Definition: one way to repay debt **Anagram of**(Mobile) METERS, SAY. Defn: A way of paying money owed/repaying a debt, viz. in multiple instalments instead of one lumpsum.

Tiny piece about centrally stripped grammatical form (10)

PARTICIPLE

Definition: grammatical form PARTICLE(a tiny piece/a very small portion of matter) **containing**(about) **middle 2 letters of**(centrally) "stripped". Defn: …, specifically a word formed from a verb that can function as a verb as well as an adjective.

Confuse order to let one's hair down? (8)

BEWILDER

Definition: Confuse ["BE WILDER!"](an order/exhortation to be less restrained and more excited/let one's hair down).

Mostly wonderful, tense batter's innings (6)

WICKET

Definition: batter's innings **Last letter ****deleted from**(Mostly) "wicked"(informal term for "wonderful!"/excellent!) + T(abbrev. for "tense"). Defn: …/in cricket, the time during which a batsman/batter is at bat, and that represents his innings.

Engineer, eh? So it's said (4)

WATT

Definition: Engineer **Homophone of**(… So it's said) "what?"(like "eh?" an expression asking for clarification of what was said, as "Eh?"/"What (did you just say)?". Defn: Scottish mechanical …, after whom the unit of power was named.

Character in Othello reported noble group of stars (10)

CASSIOPEIA

Definition: group of stars CASSIO(a character in the Shakespearean tragedy, "Othello") + **homophone of**(reported) "peer"(a nobleman).

Damn shower beginning to irritate Gulf national (8)

BAHRAINI

Definition: Gulf national BAH!(like "damn!", an expression of annoyance) + RAIN(a shower/a large quantity of things that fall or descend) + **1st letter of**(beginning to) "irritate". Defn: …, specifically from the Gulf State of Bahrain.

Covering of slate on a dam (6)

PANAMA

Definition: Covering PAN(to slate/to criticise severely) **placed above**(on, in a down clue) A + MA(a familiar term for "mother"/a female parent/a dam, in reference to an animal). Defn: … for one's head.

Extremely fickle twin sons own up (4)

FESS

Definition: own up **1st and last letters of**(Extremely) "fickle" + **2x**(twin) S(abbrev. for "son"). Defn: Short for "confess"/to ….

Spell in which nobody gets the runs (6,4)

MAIDEN OVER

Definition: Spell in which nobody gets the runs Cryptic defn: In cricket, an over/a spell or period of six consecutive correctly bowled balls in which no runs are scored.

Style doctor introducing several points (5,5)

DRESS SENSE

Definition: Style DR(abbrev. for "doctor") + **1st letters, retrospectively, of**(introducing) "east, south, south, south, east, north, south, east"(several compass points).

Alcohol clergy bottled at home (8)

GLYCERIN

Definition: Alcohol **Anagram of**(… bottled/hit, as with a bottle?) CLERGY + IN(at home/not outdoors). Answer: … or glycerine or glycerol, one of the class of chemical compounds called the alcohols.

Lock web address after X linked to copyright (4-4)

KISS CURL

Definition: Lock URL(abbrev. for "Uniform Resource Locator", the address of a webpage on the Internet) **placed below**(after, in a down clue) [ KISS(in written form, represented by "X") **plus**(linked to) C(abbrev. for "copyright", as in ©) ]. Defn: … of hair … sported by both sexes:

Beggar's right to stop one who'll cough up (6)

PRAYER

Definition: Beggar R(abbrev. for "right") **contained in**(to stop) PAYER(one who'll cough up/pay the bill). Defn: One who prays/begs would be a "beg-ger", or ungrammatically, a "beg-gar". The clue could have done with a homophone indicator.

Tiny setter's amphibian is caught (6)

MINUTE

Definition: Tiny **Homophone of**(… is caught/overheard) [ "my"(self-referential possessive pronoun for the setter of this crossword/setter's) + "newt"(a lizard-like amphibious creature) ].

Catch punch (4)

HOOK

Definition: Catch,punch Double defn: 1st: … with, well, a hook; and 2nd: A short swinging blow/… made with the elbow bent.

Bible book briefly picked up before end of religious service (4)

MASS

Definition: service **Reversal of**(… picked up, in a down clue) SAM(abbrev. for /briefly "Samuel", a book in the Hebrew Bible) **plus**(before) **last letter of**(end of) "religious". Defn: A religious ….

Clubs worker's sacked, caught breaking bottle opener (9)

CORKSCREW

Definition: bottle opener C(abbrev. for "clubs", one of the 4 suits in a deck of playing cards) + **anagram of**(… sacked) WORKER'S **containing**(… breaking) C(abbrev. for "caught" in cricket scores). Zany (or screwy) ones:

Natural gemstones not right for rings (5)

PEALS

Definition: rings "pearls"(natural gemstones formed within the shell of the oyster) **minus**(not) "r"(abbrev. for "right"). Defn: …/makes a sound that bells make or like that of bells ringing.

Detective managed to retire without getting to rock bottom (5)

NADIR

Definition: rock bottom DI(abbrev. for "detective inspector") **contained in**(… without) **reversal of**(… to retire) RAN(managed, say, an organisation).

Carpeting tripped tot heading off toddling inside (7-2)

TALKING-TO

Definition: Carpeting **Anagram of**(tripped) TOT **containing**(… inside) **1st letter deleted from**(heading off) "walking"("toddling", describing a young child/tot learning to walk with unsteady steps). Defn: …/a scolding face to face.

Dislikes trapping poor mouse for co-residents (10)

HOUSEMATES

Definition: co-residents HATES(dislikes/loathes) **containing**(trapping) **anagram of**(poor) MOUSE.

Wally's quick rejoinder partly backfired (4)

JERK

Definition: Wally **Hidden in**(… partly) **reversal of**(… backfired) "quick rejoinder". Defn: …/a silly person.

Large number of British having trouble at home with nothing coming in (7)

BILLION

Definition: Large number B(abbrev. for "British") **plus**(having) ILL(trouble/misfortune) + IN(at home/not outdoors) **containing**(with … coming in) O(letter shaped like 0/nothing).

So distant up to now (4,3)

THUS FAR

Definition: up to now THUS(so/in this way) + FAR(distant/being some distance away).

Let's go travelling, tour's beginning on your bike (3,4)

GET LOST

Definition: on your bike **Anagram of**(… travelling) LET'S GO + **1st letter of**(…'s beginning) "tour". Defn: …!/"Shoo!"

Almost everything eaten by sea creature's foul! (7)

SQUALID

Definition: foul **Last letter deleted from**(Almost) "all"(everything) **contained in**(eaten by) SQUID(sea creature with an elongated body and many tentacles). Defn: …/filthy.

Thin line moving between English and American style (4)

ELAN

Definition: style LEAN(thin/spare) **with** "L"(abbrev. for "line") **moving to between ****the** E(abbrev. for "English") **and the** "A"(abbrev. for "American") **in the word**.

Team weakens, stuffed with southern hotel's extra food (4,6)

SIDE DISHES

Definition: extra food SIDE(team in a competitive match) + DIES(weakens/fades) **containing**(stuffed with) S(abbrev. for "southern") + H(letter represented by "hotel" in the phonetic alphabet).

One with no hope of French act winning (9)

DEFEATIST

Definition: One with no hope DE(French for "of") + FEAT(a very brave or difficult act/deed) + IST("1st"/first/winning, with the Roman numeral substitution). Defn: …/one who has given up hope and is ready to accept failure.

Letter from Greece is first of hundreds in Tate collection (5)

THETA

Definition: Letter from Greece **1st letter of**(first of) "hundreds" **contained in**(in) **anagram of**(… collection) TATE. Defn: Letter in the Greek alphabet.

Hang around with dopehead's mate (5)

DALLY

Definition: Hang around **1st letter of**(…head) "dope" **plus**(…'s/indicating possession) ALLY(mate/one you can depend on).

Endure, long after date that's absolutely final (4-5)

LAST-DITCH

Definition: absolutely final LAST(to endure/survive) + [ ITCH(to long for/to feel a strong desire) **placed after**(after) D(abbrev. for "date") ].

Church gathering incorporated piece of cake (5)

CINCH

Definition: piece of cake CH(abbrev. for "church") **containing**(gathering) INC(abbrev. for "Incorporated", as used in a business corporation's name). Defn: …/something that is easily done.

Redo short haircut for swimmer (3,6)

RED MULLET

Definition: swimmer "Redo" **minus ****its last letter**(short) + MULLET(a particular haircut/hairstyle). A non-swimming red mullet:

Film star rocks party, wearing nothing (6,4)

SCREEN IDOL

Definition: Film star SCREE(rocks/a mass of loose stones covering a mountain slope) + [ DO(a party/a social function) **contained in**(wearing) NIL(0/nothing) ]. … not exactly nothing.

Teach new skills online (7)

RETRAIN

Definition: Teach new skills RE(with reference to/"on") + TRAIN("line"/a group of vehicles moving in a line/column).

Most desolate quarter has listed building (7)

WILDEST

Definition: Most desolate W(abbrev. for "west", one of the four main compass points/quarter) **plus**(has) **anagram of**(… building) LISTED.

Brace for party leader broadcast (4)

PAIR

Definition: Brace **1st letter of**(… leader) "party" + AIR(to broadcast over the radio or TV).

Regular guest is host for debate (5)

ARGUE

Definition: debate **Hidden in**(… is host) "Regular guest".

Day before American artist's retrospective, it's blocked (9)

SNOOKERED

Definition: blocked **Reversal of**(…'s retrospective) [ D(abbrev. for "day") + ERE(before in time) + KOONS(Jeff, American artist) ]. Defn: …/thwarted.

Indulged by wearing uniforms I'd later bother keeping (10)

LUXURIATED

Definition: Indulged [ X(symbol for multiplication/by) **contained in**(wearing) U,U(twice abbrev. for "uniform") ] **contained in**(… keeping) **anagram of**(… bother) I'D LATER.

Falsely superior large loaf has seeds occasionally (9)

BIGHEADED

Definition: Falsely superior BIG(large) + HEAD(in slang, "loaf"/a person's head) **plus**(has) **2nd and 4th letters of**(… occasionally) "seeds".

The lift is out of order, being most dirty (9)

FILTHIEST

Definition: most dirty **Anagram of**(… out of order) THE LIFT IS.

Time opponent's taken over me is not significant (7)

TRIVIAL

Definition: not significant T(abbrev. for "time") + RIVAL(one's opponent/competitor) **containing**(…'s taken over) I(me, with the setter using the self-referential pronoun).

Detectives in violent tussle seizing drug (7)

SLEUTHS

Definition: Detectives **Anagram of**(violent) TUSSLE **containing**(seizing) H(abbrev. for the drug, heroin).

Terrible fellow you reportedly left after a week (5)

AWFUL

Definition: Terrible [ F(abbrev. for "fellow") + **homophone of**(… reportedly) "you" + L(abbrev. for "left") ] **placed after**(after) [ A + W(abbrev. for "week") ].

Mum's quiet after son in car accident (5)

SMASH

Definition: car accident [ MA(mum/one's mother) + SH!(exclamation demanding "silence!"/quiet!) ] **placed after**(after) S(abbrev. for "son").

Rejected new street map that's variable and eccentric (4)

ZANY

Definition: eccentric **Reversal of**(Rejected) [ N(abbrev. for "new") + AZ("A-Z", any of a range of street maps of a particular area published by the Geographers' A–Z Map Company, UK) ] **plus**(that's) Y(symbol for a variable quantity in mathematics).

Got made well again by non-amateur (8)

PROCURED

Definition: Got CURED(made well again/healed) **placed after**(by) PRO(short for "professional"/non-amateur); alternatively "healed by a professional".

Dad handles fruit (6)

PAPAWS

Definition: fruit PA(like "dad", an informal term for one's father) + PAWS(handles/touches clumsily with one's paws/hands). The North American fruit: … and the tropical "papaya" for which "pawpaw" is another name:

Sailors from Dover region having the last word (6)

SEAMEN

Definition: Sailors SE(abbrev. for "South-east", the region of England in which Dover is located) + AMEN(the last word in a prayer or hymn).

Lewdness unfortunately returning to conurbation (8)

SALACITY

Definition: Lewdness **Reversal of**(… returning) ALAS!(unfortunately/"sad to say") **plus**(to) CITY(a conurbation/an extended urban area).

Small room to dispose of commercially, we hear (4)

CELL

Definition: Small room **Homophone of**(…, we hear) "sell"(to dispose of commercially/to hand over in exchange for money).

Aggressive types in row at odds with Germans (10)

WARMONGERS

Definition: Aggressive types **Anagram of**(… at odds …) [ROW **plus**(with) GERMANS].

Cold plant location providing stuff for meal (8)

CROCKERY

Definition: stuff for meal C(abbrev. for "cold") + ROCKERY(plant location, viz. part of a garden with soil and small plants growing between rocks). Defn: …/utensils for eating with.

Cleaner sort of drama? (4)

SOAP

Definition: Cleaner,sort of drama Double defn: 1st: Substance for washing and cleaning; and 2nd: Short for "soap opera", a continuing serial about the lives of the same group of characters.

An objection from neighbour? (4)

ABUT

Definition: neighbour A(like "an", an article in grammar) + BUT(an objection/an argument against something, as in "no ifs and buts about it". Defn: …/to be situated next to.

No jolly fighters needing friendly help in the usual way of things (8)

NORMALLY

Definition: in the usual way of things NO + RM(abbrev. for the Royal Marines, a fighting unit consisting of sailors/jollies, informally) **plus**(needing) ALLY(a friendly help/one that supports).

Bird handler endlessly excited Pope (10)

HILDEBRAND

Definition: Pope **Anagram of**(… excited) [BIRD + "handler" **minus ****its last letter**(endlessly) ]. Defn: Birth name of Pope Gregory VII.

This writer's joining holy warriors (4)

IMPI

Definition: warriors I'M("I am"/the setter is, using the self-referential first person pronoun) **plus**(joining) PI(short for "pious"/holy, in a sanctimonious way).

King that is wanting alcoholic drink, a type of wine (8)

RIESLING

Definition: a type of wine R(abbrev. for "Rex"/King) + IE(abbrev. for "id est"/that is) **plus**(wanting) SLING(an alcoholic drink, viz. a cocktail of spirits with water and sweetened). Defn: …, viz. a dry white wine from a grape variety grown in Germany, Austria and elsewhere.

Talk about knight being decorated! (6)

ORNATE

Definition: decorated ORATE(to talk/to make a speech) **containing**(about) N(abbrev. for "knight", in chess notation). Defn: …/adorned.

Startled ruler meeting saint (6)

AGHAST

Definition: Startled AGHA(or "aga", a ruler, or, an honorific title from the Turkish for "master") **plus**(meeting) ST(abbrev. for "Saint").

Policy by US magazine — a help for survival (8)

LIFELINE

Definition: a help for survival LINE(a policy/an agreed approach towards doing or thinking something, as in "the official line on privatisation" **placed after**(by) LIFE(a US magazine); alternatively, "a policy of LIFE magazine").

Female bird always soaring round middle of lea (5)

REEVE

Definition: Female bird **Reversal of**(… soaring, in a down clue) EVER(always/at all times) **containing**(round) **middle letter of**(middle of) "lea". Defn: A female ruff. Two ruffed ruffs ready to court reeves:

Agreed to cooperate, keeping puss inside — not that easy? (11)

COMPLICATED

Definition: not that easy COMPLIED(agreed to cooperate/acted in accordance with) **containing**(keeping … inside) CAT(a feline/pussycat, or, puss in short).

Cut in money to be paid had to be acknowledged (8)

RENOWNED

Definition: acknowledged **Last letter deleted from**(Cut in) "rent"(money to be paid by the tenant to the landlord) + OWNED(had/possessed).

Something poisonous — oily danger gents dispersed (10,5)

DESTROYING ANGEL

Definition: Something poisonous **Anagram of**(… dispersed) OILY DANGER GENTS.

Prisoner, sick inside, getting support (6)

PILLOW

Definition: support POW(abbrev. for "prisoner of war") **containing**(… inside) ILL(sick/unwell). Defn: … for one's head when lying down or sleeping. One you might lose sleep over if it gets lost:

Illustration put up in municipality (3)

PIC

Definition: Illustration **Hidden in**(in) **reversal of**(put up …) "municipality". Defn: Short for "picture".

Cascade after breaking into barrier (9)

WATERFALL

Definition: Cascade **Anagram of**(… breaking) AFTER **contained in**(into) WALL(a barrier/a restriction).

Gale blowing round railway establishment in waiting period (11)

GESTATIONAL

Definition: in waiting period **Anagram of**(… blowing) GALE **containing**(round) STATION(a railway establishment/a passenger stop along a railway line). Defn: …/during the period between conception and birth inside the mother's womb.

Teacher smart, doing away with initial chattering (9)

RABBITING

Definition: chattering RABBI(a teacher of Judaism) + "sting"(to smart/to feel a sharp or burning pain) **minus ****its 1st letter**(doing away with initial).

Business not going well — compromise? (5-3)

TRADE-OFF

Definition: compromise TRADE(business/buy and sell transactions) OFF(not going well/doing poorly). Defn: …/to give and take.

Old boy given 'eave up — one going from bar to bar? (6)

OBOIST

Definition: one going from bar to bar OB(abbrev. for "old boy" of, say, a school or university) **plus**(given) 'OIST("hoist"/to haul up** minus its 1st letter, similar to** "heave"/to haul up **minus its 1st letter**). Defn: One playing/going from bar to bar, a bar being one of the sections into which a piece of music is divided.

Plate is plain, slightly chipped (5)

PATEN

Definition: Plate "patent"(plain/glaringly obvious) **minus ****its last letter**(slightly chipped).

Music request, the first to be put down (3)

SKA

Definition: Music ASK(to request/make a plea for something or for something to be done) **with its 1st letter**(the first) **moved down to the bottom**(to be put down, in a down clue). Defn: … originating in Jamaica in the 60s.

Nice here in secretive island (6)

SICILY

Definition: island ICI("here" in the language of Nice, France) **contained in**(in) SLY(secretive/sneaky). Defn: … in Italy.

Exciting to return 50% of wealth (8)

ELECTRIC

Definition: Exciting ELECT(to return a candidate in an election) + **1st 3 out of 6 letters of**(50% of) "riches"(wealth/valuables).

Bridge odds on two queens (7)

SPANNER

Definition: Bridge SP(abbrev. for "starting prices", indicating the odds of winning in a horse race) **plus**(on) [ ANNE(English queen once) + R(abbrev. for "Regina"/Queen) ](two queens). Defn: A structure that bridges/spans across, say, a river, valley, gorge: … or canal even:

Dawn insures building (7)

SUNRISE

Definition: Dawn **Anagram of**(… building) INSURES.