Financial Times 15521 Sayang

Thanks to Sayang for this enjoyable puzzle. Definitions are underlined in the clues.

There’s a mini-theme here.

Across

1    Sound philosophical element sealed (10)

WATERTIGHT : WATER(in classical philosophies, one of the elements that make up the material world, others being earth, air and fire) + TIGHT(sealed).

Defn: …, as of a proof, say.

7    Yield about to exceed developer’s expectations for starters (4)

CEDE : C(abbrev. for “circa”, about;approximately when refering to dates) plus(to) the 1st letters, respectively, of(… for starters) “exceed developer’s expectations“.

9    Mad lady (4)

GAGA : Double defn: 2nd: The pop songstress’s professional name, with a capital L and G.

10    He sees Whitney Houston initially excluded dancing (10)

EYEWITNESS : Anagram of(… dancing) [SEES + “Whitney” minus the 1st letter of(… initially excluded) “Houston” ]. “see” doing double duty.

11    William E. Nichol holding back the silver screen (6)

CINEMA : Hidden in(… holding) and reversal of(… back) “William E. Nichol“.

12    No saucer made up of mother-of- pearl (8)

NACREOUS : Anagram of(… made up) NO SAUCER.

13    Attractive casual work involving little time (8)

TEMPTING : TEMPING(casual work performed by a temporary worker) containing(involving) T(abbrev. for ;little “time”).

15    A bit of passion (4)

DASH : Double defn: 1st: A small quantity of something added; and 2nd: Gusto;enthusiasm.

17    Small bust for a trophy (1-3)

A-CUP : A + CUP(a trophy awarded to the winner of a competition).

Defn: …, as indicated by the bra cup size of A.

19    Flight of fancy – sanitary towels stolen away (8)

STAIRWAY : Anagram of(fancy) [ “sanitary towels” minus(… away) “stolen“].

22    Even with space for sand (8)

SMOOTHEN : SMOOTH(even, without any bumps or dents) plus(with) EN(a unit of measurement of space in text printing).

Defn: …, as a verb.

23    Grumpy character who stole Christmas (6)

GRINCH : Cryptic defn: Reference to the character in Dr Seuss’s book “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”, whose name has become a common noun.

25    This lively dance involves the kips (4,3,3)

HITS THE HAY : [ Anagram of(… lively) THIS + HAY(formerly, a country dance) ] containing(involves) THE.

Defn: …, slang, as is the answer, for sleeps.

26    Some muddled items to rewrite (4)

EDIT : Hidden in(Some) “muddled items“.

27    Best laid wagers (4)

BETS : Anagram of(… laid) BEST.

28    Coined a blind term for a wooded area (10)

TIMBERLAND : Anagram of(Coined) A BLIND TERM.

Down

2    Coveting a cereal found in Virginia? On the contrary (7)

AVARICE : [ A + RICE(a cereal) ] containing(found in … ? On the contrary) VA(abbrev. for for the US state of Virginia).

Defn: …, as a noun.

3     “He’s A Rebel” holding up repeal (5)

ERASE : Hidden in(…” holding) and reversal of(… up, in a down clue) “He’s A Rebel“.

4,21 That neat hi-tech novel, a great hit with children (3,3,2,3,3)

THE CAT IN THE HAT : Anagram of(… novel) THAT NEAT HI-TECH.

Defn: …, a book by Dr Seuss.

5    Eco-friendly breakfast a favourite with kids (5,4,3,3)

GREEN EGGS AND HAM : GREEN(eco-friendly) + EGGS AND HAM(part of a typical full breakfast)

Defn: …, another book by Dr Seuss.

6    Tremble at first sign of the enchantress (6)

TWITCH : The 1st letter of(first sign of) “the” +WITCH(an enchantress;a she-speller).

7    Cheat generous candidate (9)

CONTENDER : CON(to cheat;to swindle) + TENDER(generous;kind, as in “a generous interpretation of his actions”, tender perhaps).

8    Knight discarded sundress tailored for author (2,5)

DR SEUSS : Anagram of(… tailored) “sundress” minus(… discarded) “n”(symbol for “knight” in chess notation).

Defn: … of German origin, hence:

You’re wrong as the deuce

And you shouldn’t rejoice

If you’re calling him Seuss.

He pronounces it Zoice.

14    They are bravely up in arms (9)

PAPPOOSES : Cryptic defn: Babes-in-arms of Native American Indians, males of whom are braves, the word also meaning the back packs that they are carried in.

16    Upset Gale with gory grotesque figure (8)

GARGOYLE : Anagram of(Upset) [GALE plus(with) GORY].

18    Join company doctor in Spain (7)

COMBINE : CO(abbrev. for “company”, a commercial concern) + MB(abbrev. for the Latin “Medicinae Baccalaureus”, Bachelor of Medicine, a doctor) + IN +E(abbrev. for “Spain” or Espana).

20    Sale of gold coin minted in Thailand? No (7)

AUCTION : [ AU(symbol for the chemical element, gold) + anagram of(… minted) COIN] containing(in …? No) T(abbrev. for Thailand).

21    See 4 down

24    One pine board would be perfect (5)

IDEAL : I(Roman numeral “one”) + DEAL(board made of pine wood).