Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of 11 April
Cincinnus gives us another very fine puzzle. Every clue is technically perfect (as usual) and a good few are impressive.
Across
1. NEWSREEL – NEWS (four ways) + REEL (dance)
6. PLASMA – L (left) in PA’S MA (granny)
9. DIRECT – double definition. One of the best!
10. REASSERT – anagram of STAR SEER
11. STEP – PETS (favourites) backwards
12. EXPRESSWAY – EXPRESS (say) + WA + [jul]Y. I am a little surprised to see what I think of as a very American word in a British puzzle but this is a fine clue that, at a stretch, could be interpreted as an &lit.
14. ADHERENT – anagram of HEAD + RENT (cost of accommodation)
16. EASY – double definition
18. LIMA – I’M (Cincinnus is) in LA (the French)
19. RIVETING – double definition
21. BUNKER HILL – BUNKER (absconder) + H[ead] + ILL (indisposed)
22. ORFF – homophone (“off”, as some would pronounce it)
24. PROVIDES – anagram of DISPROVE
26. ORANGE – O (duck) + RANGE (something found in kitchen)
27. PSYCHE – P.S. (I forgot to say) + Y[ou] C[an] H[ave] E[volutionary]
28. YARMOUTH – ARM (prepare for conflict) in YOUTH (young man)
Down
2. ELIOT – ELI (Old Testament priest) + OT (Old Testament). Most excellent.
3. STEEPLEJACK – P (page) in STEELE (essayist) + JACK (means of raising)
4. EXTREMES – EX (former) + T (time) + REME (soldiers) + S[et]
5. LORD PETER WIMSEY – anagram of WRITERS EMPLOYED
6. PLATES – double definition
7. ASS – A S[illy] S[ausage]. A gem of an &lit.
8. MORTAL SIN – MORTALS (people) + IN (at home)
13. SWEET POTATO – anagram of WE STOP TO EAT
15. DAIQUIRIS – DAI (Welshman) + QUI (who in Paris) + R (river) in IS (is)
17. EVILDOER – anagram of IDOL in EVER (always)
20. BRIDLE – homophone (“bridal”)
23. FIGHT – L[indbergh] removed from FLIGHT (aviation)
25. VAC – VAC[ation]