Another exemplary puzzle from Everyman for the less-experienced, improving solver. There were two anagrams which I particularly liked in this one.
Abbreviations
cd cryptic definition
dd double definition
(xxxx)* anagram
anagrind = anagram indicator
[x] letter(s) missing
definitions are underlined
Across
1 Tease in habitual action? Very sad
TRAGIC
An insertion to get us going: of RAG in TIC.
4 Systems of measurement for plates
SCALES
A dd.
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptised.
Saul’s experience, in Acts 9:18.
10 Vegetable, bruised initially, absolute enthusiasts set aside
BUTTERNUT SQUASH
A four-part charade: B for the first letter of ‘bruised’, UTTER, NUT and SQUASH.
11 Roofless old enclosure, architect’s last work
OPEN-TOP
Another charade: of O, PEN, T for the last letter of ‘architect’ and OP for opus or ‘work’.
12 Weaving of mat seen to be most skilful
MEANEST
(MAT SEEN)*
13 Shabby article about studied obstruction
THREADBARE
An insertion of READ and BAR in THE.
15 Eccentric hobby to some extent ridiculous
RICH
Hidden in eccentRIC Hobby. That’s rich.
16 Run, fit and ecstatic
RAPT
A charade of R and APT.
17 Most unusual to store data in tropical environment
RAINFOREST
Nice spot by Everyman. It’s INFO in RAREST.
20 Be morose, keeping away after retirement in county
SUFFOLK
An insertion of OFF reversed in SULK gives you Constable’s county.
21 Robbed, cold and angry
CHEATED
A charade of C and HEATED.
23 Love song, terrible trial when gloomy
MY HEART WILL GO ON
(TRIAL WHEN GLOOMY)* gives you Celine Dion’s hit which featured in Titanic.
24 Cool and objective in test
TRENDY
An insertion of END in TRY.
25 Sticky substance covering spot around mineral
GYPSUM
Another insertion: of SPY reversed in GUM. The insertion indicator is ‘covering’ and the reversal indicator is ‘around’.
Down
1 Prohibited cheers with expression of disapproval
TABOO
A charade of TA and BOO.
2 Mashed potato father had without hesitation
AT THE DROP OF A HAT
Another fine spot by our setter. It’s (POTATO FATHER HAD)* wrapped up in a lovely surface reading.
3 Lack of movement, batting? Time to wrap it up
INERTIA
A charade of IN for ‘batting’ in cricket and IT reversed in ERA.
5 Odd members of clan that spoil a new boat
CATAMARAN
A charade of CATA for the odd letters of ‘clan that’, MAR, A and N.
6 Fruit, large quota distributed
LOQUAT
I hadn’t heard of this one, but an obvious anagram and Q as one of the crossing letters is going to get you there, I think.
7 Instructions for action in raid get muddled in parts
STAGE DIRECTIONS
(RAID GET)* inserted into SECTIONS.
8 Speak irritably in card game
SNAP
A dd.
9 Problem in feline gossip
CHITCHAT
An insertion of HITCH in CAT.
13 Tedious occasion? Half resolved to disrupt it
TIRESOME
An insertion of RESO for half of ‘resolved’ in TIME.
14 Put together plot involving dishonest activity
BRACKETED
An insertion of RACKET in BED.
18 Covering part of disloyal revolution up
OVERLAY
Hidden reversed in disloYAL REVOlution.
19 Teacher put away present
DONATE
A charade of DON and ATE.
21 Extract fastener
CLIP
A dd.
22 Study one beginning to mend fabric
DENIM
A charade of DEN, I and M for the first letter of ‘mend’.
Many thanks to Everyman for this morning’s puzzle.
Likewise, very enjoyable, I’m a sucker for a long anagram! Great stuff!
Minor quibble- is 9 B, UTTER, NUTS and QUASH ( as in quash a conviction in law)?
Morning AJK. Yes, 10ac is as you have parsed it, with QUASH rather than SQUASH being part of the charade. Thanks.
Thank you Everyman and Pierre.
As enjoyable as ever, AT THE DROP OF A HAT brought Flanders and Swann to my mind!
No birds today for Pierre, but here is a short video of birds eating LOQATS.
On the easier side for Everyman, and as enjoyable as always. A little tussle at the close with 17ac and 14d.
As usual those from the UK say it was easy! It was not. However, since I managed to get all except “stage” in 7 down, I have to say I enjoyed it. The level was right for me. Barrie, of course, will get 7 down no problem. Don’t. Know why it didn’t come to mind for me either, having been on stage quite a few times in the distant past.
I liked lots of these especially 2 down.
Thanks Everyman.
Ha actually 7D took me a little while, Audrey, as I missed the ‘sections’ bit of the parsing.
I zoomed through the first half of this and came to a shuddering halt. Got there in the end but probably took a couple of hours on and off.
Good stuff, Everyman.
Can someone explain to me 20ac
I can only see the relevance of Sulk and the rest is beyond me…
The last few, including this one, have been way too easy. I’m hoping for a harder crossie next week.
@8 Vanessa
Its supposed to be SULK = BE MOROSE with OFF = AWAY backwards (RETIRED) inside.
I don’t particularly like OFF = AWAY but I guess “I am AWAY on holiday” is similar to “I am OFF on holiday”. Not really sure.
I have never (in my very long life) heard “meanest” to denote “most skillful”.
I found this one to be very easy in parts, and very hard in parts. Got it out,
but, without any computerised assistance.
Liked “bracketed” and “Suffolk”.
“Meanest” as most skilful?
Also, 25ac, GUM and “YPS”. Haven’t met a yps before!
Good evening, NZ. Vanessa, I’m sorry I didn’t explain SUFFOLK clearly enough. Rats has it.
Rolf, how about a sentence like: ‘she is a mean crossword solver’? So the superlative, meanest, would be ‘most skilful’.
Good to hear from you all. Cheer our cricket team on against the Aussies next week, please.
Pluvial Piha, you need to reverse SPY for ‘spot’ before you do the insertion to get GYPSUM.