Monday Prize Crossword / Aug 3, 2015
Some may complain about all these cryptic definitions and the ample use of anagrams but Dante’s clue-writing is unique (whatever you think of it).
Surfaces are so natural, it seems that it doesn’t take any effort to write these clues. Well, I challenge the solver.
Today, I had major problems in the SW but managed to get there ‘with a little help from my friends’.
Definitions are underlined wherever possible and/or appropriate.
| Across | ||
| 1 | DEMEAN |
Humble cleric covering the Middle East (6)
DEAN (cleric) around ME (Middle East) |
| 4 | ABSTRUSE |
Busts are being developed beyond comprehension (8)
(BUSTS ARE)* [* = being developed] |
| 9 | SCRAPE |
In difficulty, drop a note (6)
SCRAP (drop) + E (a (musical) note) |
| 10 | SCAMPERS |
Clears off temporary settler on board (8)
CAMPER (temporary settler) inside SS (steamship), so therefore ‘on board’ |
| 12 | RASH |
A symptom of fever like a hot head (4)
Double / Cryptic definition The right-hand side should be seen as ‘hot-headed’ which may equal RASH. |
| 13 | HAUNT |
Chase around a favourite resort (5)
HUNT (chase) around A |
| 14 | MERE |
Only a mother to the French (4)
The French word for mother is mère |
| 17 | BREADWINNERS |
Those using their loaf to support the family (12)
Cryptic definition |
| 20 | CONGREGATION |
People in the services go on creating mayhem (12)
(GO ON CREATING)* [* = mayhem] |
| 23 | CREW |
A short cut for a shipping company (4)
Double definition The first one refers to a haircut. |
| 24 | USAGE |
Practice for university man of learning (5)
U (university) + SAGE (man of learning) |
| 25 | FELT |
Sensed left isn’t right (4)
(LEFT)* [* = isn’t right] |
| 28 | RAILROAD |
In America the permanent way to coerce (8)
Double definition ‘The permanent way’ is, according to Collins, the track of a railway, including the ballast, sleepers, rails, etc. In North-America a railway is called a railroad. |
| 29 | DETAIN |
Delay by putting the date in wrongly (6)
(DATE IN)* [* = wrongly] |
| 30 | SOMEBODY |
Distinguished or undistinguished person (8)
Sort of Double definition She is really somebody. It’s time that somebody should see that. |
| 31 | REPENT |
Express contrition but imprisoned again (6)
RE (again) PENT (imprisoned) |
| Down | ||
| 1 | DESCRIBE |
Label in new seed bed (8)
CRIB (bed) inside (SEED)* [* = new] |
| 2 | MARKSMEN |
They’re unlikely to be found missing (8)
Cryptic definition … and a clue very similar to 17d in last Monday’s Rufus. |
| 3 | AMPS |
A politician’s current measures (4)
A + MP’S (politician’s) Electric current, of course. |
| 5 | BACON AND EGGS |
Companions at the breakfast table (5,3,4)
Cryptic definition |
| 6 | TAME |
Not wildly exciting (4)
(Not so) Cryptic definition |
| 7 | UNEVEN |
Rough? That’s odd (6)
Odd is not even and therefore some odd folks may call that un-even. |
| 8 | ENSUED |
Proceeded to bring charges in extremity (6)
SUE (to bring charges) inside END (extremity) |
| 11 | MAKING A STAND |
Being opposed to the building of seats for spectators? (6,1,5)
MAKING (building (of)) + A STAND (seats for spectators) |
| 15 | IDIOT |
What I am called when I do it all wrong? (5)
(I DO IT)* [* = wrong] The clue as a whole is the definition (which doesn’t mean it’s an &lit). |
| 16 | BREAK |
Start playing snooker in school rest period (5)
Double definition |
| 18 | LITERATE |
Articulate lie about arranged treat (8)
LIE around (TREAT)* [* = arranged] |
| 19 | INSTINCT |
Gut feeling you’ll need this month in court (8)
INST (this month) + IN + CT (court) |
| 21 | ACORNS |
Starters for the “Oaks” ? (6)
Cryptic definition Great oaks grow from little acorns. The surface is a nod to the annual horserace on Epsom Downs. |
| 22 | MEDIUM |
She may raise people’s spirits (6)
Cryptic definition She? |
| 26 | CRIB |
Not a fair copy (4)
(Not so) Cryptic definition |
| 27 | METE |
Measure of night-time temperature? (4)
Hidden solution (‘of’): [night-ti]ME TE[mperature] The definition must be seen as a verb, often used in combination with ‘out’. |
Thanks Sil and Dante.
All over too quickly. Just the normal problem with Dante of wondering whether the cryptic and double definitions are really that simple, or whether there might be another answer than the one you first thought of that works equally well.
But then, variety is what I like so suits me.
Re Medium, I suppose that the classic mystic charlatan is a women while men stick to selling snake oil. Not sure which causes more misery.
Thanks Dante and Sil
Was another quickie from Dante … and as it turns out another careless error with TAKING A STAND (didn’t pay enough attention to the parsing bit!).
It certainly was dejevu with 2d … and sadly I had to go through the same thought process to get it out !!
Took a little while to understand why SCRAPE was the right answer at 9a, for MEDIUM to reveal itself and for the cryptic CRIB to fall. SOMEBODY was the last one in. C
I enjoyed 17a and 28a just tickled my fancy.
For me a typical Dante. Solved all bar 2d, 9a ,13a & 23a in a reasonable time but no matter how often I came back to it, I couldn’t get them -and never would.