Clue
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Implement used on farm to topple branch (9) | PITCHFORK | Definition: Implement used on farm
PITCH (topple) + FORK (branch) |
Eccentric soul madly pursuing an unclothed woman (9) | ANOMALOUS | Definition: Eccentric
AN + [w]OMA[n] + SOUL |
Stitches up army engineer mates (7) | REPAIRS | Definition: Stitches up
RE (Royal Engineers) + PAIRS (mates) |
Have control of backup groups carrying spades (7) | POSSESS | Definition: Have control of
S[pades] in POSSES |
Iodine injected in rather twisted part of leg (5) | TIBIA | Definition: part of leg
I[odine] in reverse of A BIT (rather) |
Stop knocking back drink in past (5) | BELAY | Definition: Stop
Reverse of ALE in BY (past) |
Those starting modestly in speed event perform badly (5) | MISDO | Definition: perform badly
First letters of Modestly In Speed + DO (party, event) |
Architectural curve, wide maybe, diameter unusually large (8) | EXTRADOS | Definition: Architectural curve
EXTRA (e.g. a wide, in cricket) + D + OS (outsize) |
Bar? Better rooms therein but lacking inside toilet (4) | SANS | Definition: Bar
SALOONS (better class of bar, as opposed to the public bar) less LOO. For the definition I assume it's "bar" in the prepositional sense of "except", but I'm not sure it quite equates to SANS = "without" |
Fore-runners of vertebrates possibly had me puzzled about colourless ooze (10) | HEMICHORDA | Definition: Fore-runners
ICHOR in (HAD ME) |
Fauns dancing all over the place (5) | SNAFU | Definition: all over the place
FAUNS* – an acronym (as opposed to the "abbreviation" mentioned in the rubric), standing for "Situation Normal, All Fouled Up" (other words beginning with F are available) |
Bulge in some places? It's showing bulge round centre of midriff (6) | STROUT | Definition: Bulge in some places
Middle letter of midRiff in STOUT (showing bulge) |
Chaps in US intelligence organization turned washed-out at home (6) | ANEMIC | Definition: washed-out
Reverse of MEN in CIA – "at home" to indicate the US spelling |
Team supporter flourishes with fares cut (3) | FAN | Definition: Team supporter
FAN[fares] |
Working micros, see? Place inside processes for them (12) | COMPUTERISES | Definition: processes for them
PUT in (MICROS SEE) |
Charles as king? For sure (3) | RAY | Definition: Charles
R + AY (yes, for sure) – Ray Charles, singer/songwriter and pianist |
Bass opening being absent flusters the rest (6) | OTHERS | Definition: the rest
BOTHERS (flusters) less B[ass] |
Peal of bells, stuff holding line? (6) | TRIPLE | Definition: Peal of bells
L in TRIPE (stuff=nonsense) |
Tory? Only 50%, on the fringes, one I name 'wet' (5) | RAINY | Definition: wet
A (one) I N[ame] in half of toRY |
Language generally, riddle involving legal rule (5) | TERMS | Definition: Language generally
R – "Rule (law)" says Chambers – in TEMS: "sieve or strainer", i.e. a riddle (as used by gardeners) |
Satire getting me briefly in a pickle? (10) | MAZARINADE | Definition: Satire
AZ[ed] in MARINADE |
Those above junior doctors requiring orderly system without company (4) | SMOS | Definition: Those above junior doctors
COSMOS (orderly system) less CO. This is the abbreviation, for Senior Medical OfficerS. I originally guessed SHOS (Senior House Officers) for this, but of course couldn't parse it; and anyway it's not in Chambers, nor is it a current grade, at least in the UK. |
Development I missed with group that's mismanaged (8) | UPGROWTH | Definition: Development
Anagram of (WITH GROUP) less I |
Major work poet's wrought spending time (4) | EPOS | Definition: Major work
POETS* less T |
Yellow growths that a man with ox ploughed up (10) | XANTHOMATA | Definition: Yellow growths
(THAT A MAN OX)* – knowing that XANTH- is a prefix meaning "yellow" was a big help with the anagram |
Vassal e.g. the young lady's sacked (5) | THIRL | Definition: Vassal
THE GIRL less EG |
Make good pickled produce, taking day (6) | RECOUP | Definition: Make good
PRODUCE* less D |
Richard Murphy (or so it's said) replaced his president in senior post (12) | DICTATORSHIP | Definition: senior post
Homophone of "Dick tater" + HIS* + P[resident] |
Richly woven fabric is got up to clothe a certain king (6) | SONERI | Definition: Richly woven fabric
ONE (a certain) R in reverse of IS |
Japanese delicacy coated in caramel (5) | ARAME | Definition: Japanese delicacy
Hidden in cARAMEl |
Fuse is beginning to spark inside dressing (8) | SAUCISSE | Definition: Fuse
IS + S[park] in SAUCE |
Woman scorned tail of tabby after mink? (4) | FURY | Definition: Woman scorned
FUR + [tabb]Y – "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" |
Not a bit of beer fermenting for host (4) | ARMY | Definition: host
BARMY (fermenting) less B[eer] |
Was striving to get between two loves somewhere on the Bay of Biscay (6) | OVIEDO | Definition: somewhere on the Bay of Biscay
VIED in O O – Oviedo is in northern Spain, but it's at least 20km from the sea, so it's a bit of a stretch to say it's "on the Bay of Biscay". It also gives its name to one of the *comarcas* that make up the province of Asturias, but even that doesn't reach to the sea. |
Rooty in partnership, cross after right hand is in contact with Ishant's first (5) | RHIZO | Definition: Rooty in partnership
RH + I[shant] + ZO (cow-yak hybrid, popular with setters because of its many variant spellings). This is the "prefix", as indicated by "in partnership", meaning related to roots, or "rooty". The surface refers to cricket – for those as uninterested in the game as I am, Joe Root is the current captain of England, and Ishant Sharma plays for India |
Inferior veg recipe fed to cat (5) | SPREW | Definition: Inferior veg
R in SPEW (to cat is to vomit) |
Inhabitant of Baltic region east of Italy and Hungary (4) | ESTH | Definition: Inhabitant of Baltic region
EST (Italian "east") + H[ungary] |
Smooth passages of play set goal in motion (7) | LEGATOS | Definition: Smooth passages of play
(SET GOAL)*, with "passages of play" referring to music |
After losing first point, nervously receives this? (7) | SERVICE | Definition: this
Anagram of RECEIVES, less the first E, the first of four compass points in the word (E E E S); the surface refers to tennis |
17 across, a wide man neither side wanted (4) | INGE | Definition: 17 across
WINGER (a "wide" player in football etc) less its outer letters.Dean Inge used to be a familiar figure in crosswords, but is probably much more of an obscurity now |
Former PL team's left wing back dives, missing header and second 12 across? (9) | EXPLETIVE | Definition: 12 across
EX + PL (presumably standing for Premier League) + reverse of the "left wing" of Team + DIVES less its first letter and S. "Balls" (12a) is an expletive |
Rubbish dances by Strictly star (5) | BALLS | Definition: Rubbish
Three definitions – the former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls was famously an incompetent but popular contestant on *Strictly Come Dancing |
Detective suffering derision from press team (8) | IRONSIDE | Definition: Detective
Another "triple" clue – DERISION*, and IRON (press) + SIDE (team). *Ironside* was a TV police series of the 60s and 70s, which my late mother always called "Perry Mason in a wheelchair", as Raymond Burr played both characters |
A delay put back festivity … (4) | GALA | Definition: festivity
Reverse of A LAG |
… the 25th one, perhaps, for Puck? (5) | FAIRY | Definition: Puck
The 25th gala might be "FAIR Y" (after FAIR A, FAIR B, etc). Puck is a fairy in *A Midsummer Night's Dream |
Academic official content to provide answers (4) | DEAN | Definition: Academic official
Hidden in proviDE ANswers |
Can perhaps shoot game here? (8) | PRESERVE | Definition: Can perhaps
Double definition – canning is a way to preserve food, and game can be shot (fortunately more likely with cameras than rifles these days) in a [p]reserve. *As noted in the comments, I got my reserves and preserves a bit mixed up here |
Retiring Bengali vicar's well-mannered (5) | CIVIL | Definition: well-mannered
Hidden in reverse of bengaLI VICar – the hiding is indicated by the 's |
Streetcars, buggies or slow-moving 3? (9) | STROLLERS | Definition: buggies
Another triple clue – ST + ROLLERS (Rolls Royces) plus two definitions |
Some Penguin 'Football Facts' (4) | INFO | Definition: Facts
Hidden in penguIN FOotball |
Sadly bicker about who's first to give name for an Antarctic glacier (7) | BERWICK | Definition: name for an Antarctic glacier
First letter of Who in BICKER* – the Berwick Glacier flows into the much larger Beardmore Glacier, a name familiar from the story of Captain Scott's ill-fated expedition |
Roy's header really annoys 3 (7) | RANGERS | Definition: 3
R[oy] + ANGERS |
17 across having doubled lead, end result is tight (4) | MEAN | Definition: tight
DEAN with the D (500) doubled to become M (1000) |
Bloomer showed up, leading to one-all game (8) | CAMELLIA | Definition: Bloomer
CAME (showed up) +anagram of I ALL |
Briefly run some cricket team (6) | ROVERS | Definition: team
R[un] + OVERS (some cricket) |
Stand on this, maybe, and see more? Yes, now encroaching heads shifted (8) | CEREMONY | Definition: Stand on this, maybe
C (see) + anagram of (MORE + first letters of Yes Now Encroaching) – rather a devious construction, but the definition is clear (when you see it) |
Originally all versions of it described sitting ducks (6) | AVOIDS | Definition: ducks
First letters of All Versions Of It Described Sitting |
A team lacking women in some area (4) | ACRE | Definition: some area
A CREW less W |
Cooked pig liver, edible starter? That's right (9) | PRIVILEGE | Definition: right
(PIG LIVER)* + E[dible] |
Times article on current 'right' way to travel (2,3) | BY AIR | Definition: way to travel
BY (times, as in "2 by 2") + A (article) + I (electric current) + R[ight] |
Slow-paced, lazy speech after tie lost (5) | DRAWL | Definition: Slow-paced, lazy speech
DRAW (tie) + L[ost] |
Warning forward respectfully, this may be tugged (8) | FORELOCK | Definition: respectfully, this may be tugged
FORE (warning in golf) + LOCK (rugby player) |
Little mischief-makers, half of Devon's swimmers (8) | DEVLINGS | Definition: Little mischief-makers
The first half of DEVon's + LINGS (fish) – a new word to me, but a reasonably obvious diminutive of "devils" |
Second team's inside men in charge (6) | SCREWS | Definition: inside men in charge
S CREW'S – screws is slang for prison officers, hence "inside" |
Laid-back Corinthian's teammate? (6) | CASUAL | Definition: Laid-back
Double definition – the second is presumably a reference to Corinthian-Casuals Football Club |
Watched part of play broadcast (4) | SEEN | Definition: Watched
Homophone of "scene" |
Conveying charge from governing body, with rule essentially being ignored (4) | FARE | Definition: Conveying charge
FA (ruling body of football) + R[ul]E |
Value from Top Shop in roadside area (3,5,5,2) | LAY GREAT STORE BY | Definition: Value
GREAT (top) STORE (shop) in LAY-BY. The retail chain, which is now in administration, started life as in the clue, but soon became branded as Topshop |
Global struggle: virus from the east not treated (4,3) | COLD WAR | Definition: Global struggle
COLD (virus) + RAW (not treated) reversed, i.e. "from the east" |
Figure almost left behind old college (7) | POLYGON | Definition: Figure
POLY (polytechnic) + GON[e] |
Classical star's note to introduce Mahler's Fourth (3) | SOL | Definition: Classical star
SO (musical note, the fifth of the scale) + the fourth letter of mahLer. "Classical" because SOL is the Latin name of the Sun |
Directory of wannabe knights scared to fight? (6,5) | YELLOW PAGES | Definition: Directory
Pages in Ye Olden Dayes might have been "wannabe knights", and yellow = cowardly |
Falafel bits, eg nice round sandwiches fit to eat (10) | INGESTIBLE | Definition: fit to eat
Hidden in reverse of falafEL BITS EG NIce |
Thought Picaroon gives people a hand, briefly (4) | IDEA | Definition: Thought
I (Picaroon referring to himself) + DEA[L] (to give a hand of cards) |
Losing heart, one's ridden the tube (4) | HOSE | Definition: tube
HORSE (one that's ridden) less its middle letter |
Cracking nut, a scarce thing with a shell? (10) | CRUSTACEAN | Definition: thing with a shell
(NUT A SCARCE) |
Made it with rice cooked for so long (11) | ARRIVEDERCI | Definition: so long
ARRIVED (made it) + RICE |
Hum opening of television program (3) | BOT | Definition: program
BO (Body Odour; hum = bad smell) + T[elevision]; short for "robot", a type of computer program |
Old Indian copper seizing figure's sensitive appendage (7) | ANTENNA | Definition: sensitive appendage
TEN (figure) in ANNA (Indian coin) |
One wool-gathering artist reversed gauzy clothes (7) | SHEARER | Definition: One wool-gathering
Reverse of RA (artist) "clothed by" SHEER (gauzy) |
I favour sweet, absorbing songs making lover's lament (1,2,8,4) | I AM FORTUNE’S FOOL | Definition: lover's lament
TUNES in I AM FOR (I favour) FOOL (type of pudding, sweet). This is a line said by Romeo when he has just killed Tybalt |
Bit of a shock, economist's solution to key problem (9) | LOCKSMITH | Definition: solution to key problem
LOCK (hair – part of a shock) + [Adam] SMITH |
Winter food that's supposed to be burnt? (4,3) | YULE LOG | Definition: Winter food
Double definition – a yule log is either an actual log to put on a fire, or a type of cake |
My word! One's performing wild antics (8) | ROWDYISM | Definition: wild antics
Anagram of MY WORD + I S |
For listeners, Francesco the poet's beloved, moving line (5) | AURAL | Definition: For listeners
LAURA (subject of poems by Francesco Petrarch), with the L (line) moved down – I needed some online help to confirm this |
Having shot hoops, see the French playmaker (9) | SOPHOCLES | Definition: playmaker
HOOPS* + C (see) + LES (French "the") |
Love kiss with these? They may be in bed (6) | OXLIPS | Definition: They may be in bed
O (love) + X (kiss) + LIPS (which are used to kiss); oxlips may be in a flowerbed |
Desperate need to consume crack, heading for altar (7) | ENGAGED | Definition: heading for altar
GAG (joke, crack) in NEED |
Americans releasing article about old age (5) | YONKS | Definition: age
O in YANKS less A; YONKS = a long time, an age – "I haven't seen you for yonks" |
Brilliant raid with train that's in motion (9) | IRRADIANT | Definition: Brilliant
(RAID TRAIN) |
Naked relative admitting a rule's broken (2,7) | AU NATUREL | Definition: Naked
A in AUNT* + RULE |
Tablet's taken out of fatigue, showing caution (8) | WARINESS | Definition: caution
WEARINESS less E (Ecstasy tablet) |
Problem eating pastry up in a layer (7) | STRATUM | Definition: a layer
Reverse of TART in SUM (problem) |
Ban poetic entreaty to hold me back (7) | EMBARGO | Definition: Ban
Reverse of O GRAB ME (maybe a poet's way of saying "hold me") |
Maybe two, four, six and zero still (4,2) | EVEN SO | Definition: still
EVENS (2, 4 and 6 are even numbers) + O (zero – which also happens to be even) |
Rug with top-class exterior is an expensive fiddle (5) | AMATI | Definition: an expensive fiddle
MAT in A1 |
Increased amount of liquor is enjoyed (5) | RISEN | Definition: Increased
Hidden in liquoR IS ENjoyed |
Looking offended by power trip (7) | POUTING | Definition: Looking offended
P[ower] + OUTING |
Purported cure tested her good faith (4,2,3,3) | HAIR OF THE DOG | Definition: Purported cure
(HER GOOD FAITH)* – in full "the hair of the dog that bit you", originally a supposed cure for a dog bite, now metaphorically meaning a drink as a cure for a hangover |
Millions are putting in short order for arrangement of treatment (8) | MEDICARE | Definition: arrangement of treatment
EDIC[t] in M ARE |
Subsets and Splits