In Homograms IV, there are 12 clues (two sets of 6) that involve two different pairs of changes before they are written in the grid. In one set, the subsidiary indication clues a homonym of the definition, and the grid entry is an anagram of the homonym. In the other set, the subsidiary indication clues an anagram of the definition, and the grid entry is a homonym of the anagram. Clear?
The solving method was new to me. Homograms III (No.879) was published in 2009, about when I was starting to solve EVs, but I think I missed it.
As there’s no additional thematic material to discover, there’s no particular ‘penny-drop moment’. Rather, there’s a gradual grid-fill. I felt that the clueing of the ‘homograms’ was pitched just right, which was appreciated, given that the involved changes could easily have led to hair-tearing frustration.
I think the definition of 42ac is a mistake, as Yves is not a girl’s name, and 21dn may be a misprint, as it’s so close to 27dn [Correct clue substituted. Thanks BB60]. However, I may be wrong.
Notation
(xxx) = definition
[xxx] = (anagram/homophone/container/etc.) indicator
XXX* = anagram
< = reversal
ABET – BATE – BAIT anagram/homonym clues
Please post a comment if the explanations are not clear.
| Across | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ABET – BATE – BAIT | Help BAT (cricketer) E ([opening for] ESSEX) (4) |
| 6 | FORA – FARO – PHARAOH | Market places [in] |
| 12 | BREUER | BRER (Georgia’s sibling) [holding] UE ([coat of] URBANE)architect (6) |
| 13 | OVERDO | Harass O ([second part of] CONTROVERSIAL) [redevelopment of] DOVER* (6) |
| 14 | LEAN | Bank of marginal value (4) |
| 15 | ÉTUIS – SUITE – SWEET | Small boxes SUIT (meet the requirements of) E ([most common of] THEATRE-GOERS) (5) |
| 17 | SATISFY | Compensate for SAY (remark) [about] [broken] FIST* (7) |
| 18 | CADRE | PADRE (Father) [losing face for C (Conservative)] activist (5) |
| 20 | ENACTOR | Performer‘s < {ROT (rubbish) CANE (walking stick)} [completely rejected] (7) |
| 22 | CRAM – MARC – MARQUE | Hastily learn < RAM (warship) [returned] to C (Cuba) (6) |
| 23 | MOOR – ROOM – RHEUM | |
| 25 | LANDHOLDERS | Owners of estate {HANDED ROLLS}* [over] (11) |
| 28 | CILIA | Fine structures: C (canine) ILIA (bones) (5) |
| 30 | TURCO – COURT – CAUGHT | Algerian infantryman‘s CURT (abrupt) [without] O ([introduction to] OTHERS) (6) |
| 31 | UNSTUCK | Freed UN (peacekeepers) with S ([last of] REFUGEES’) TUCK (food) (7) |
| 34 | PURL – PEARL – PALER | Eddy P ([beginning to) PROTECT) EARL (aristocrat) (5) |
| 36 | ECHOERS | They repeat [horrible] CHORE* [in] ES (El Salvador) (7) |
| 37 | CHUTE – SHOOT – SOTHO | It holds up a falling SOT (drunkard) [in] HO (house) [On the contrary] (5) |
| 38 | RHUS | RHESUS (Monkey) [spitting out] ES ([bark of] ERICACEOUS) plant (4) |
| 39 | SENITI | SENT (Dispatched) I ([third of] MAIL) [outside of] I (island)capital of Tonga (6) |
| 40 | AEFALD | Scotsman’s simple { |
| 41 | ESSENCE | Being ENC (enclosed) [in] ESSE |
| 42 | YVES | YES (Vote for) V (very) [restrained] girl (4) |
| Down | ||
| 1 | BALSAMIC | Healing of [terrible] MALAIS |
| 2 | ABEAM | ABE (Former president) A (about) [to meet] M (maiden) at side of ship (5) |
| 3 | TENIA | [Remove V (bit of VELCRO) from] [ridiculous] NATI |
| 4 | TUSSAUD | TU [Oddly T |
| 5 | NEWFIE | Canadian NÉ (born) WIFE* [is upset] (6) |
| 7 | HOEING | Weeding HOE (ridge) [and] ING (meadow for locals) (6) |
| 8 | RELÂCHE | No performance at Moulin Rouge: CHARLE |
| 9 | ARID | Barren [region of] |
| 10 | ODOROUS | Foul-smelling DOR (dung-beetle) [captured by] O (old) OUS (men in Durban) (7) |
| 11 | CHOU – SHOE – HOSE | SHE (Female) [covers up] O ([whiff of] ODOROUS) cabbage (4) |
| 16 | EYE SOCKET | Orbits E (earth)? YES (Indeed) – |
| 19 | ORALS | Tests [taken by] < [revolutionary] |
| 21 | TERGA | TEA (Meal) [includes] RG ([empty] R |
| 24 | MÉTISSES | MATISSES (Works of one artist) A (are) [usurped] by E (European) people of mixed race (8) |
| 25 | CEILING – SEALING – LINAGES | Maximum possible amount of STEALING (theft) – T (time) [running out] (7) |
| 26 | NITERIE | {II (I [twice]) ENTER}* [seedy] club (7) |
| 27 | DASH OFF | Abruptly leave |
| 29 | ECHOIC | Like 36, CHOICE (the best part)’s [back to front] (6) |
| 30 | CACHET | Seal CACHE (hide) [atop] T ([stern of] CRAFT) (6) |
| 32 | MARE – MAYOR – MORAY | Horse < ROAM (wandering) [back] [over] Y (yard) (5) |
| 33 | DROOP – DRUPE – PRUDE | Decline DUPE (trick) [involving] R (rook) (5) |
| 34 | POSE | Claim |
| 35 | LENS | Legumes from French city (4) |
Correct clue for 21D was:
Meal includes empty paper plates. (5)