Solving time: About two hours.
I found this quite tricky with some well-disguised definitions. Apologies for the late blog, but I’ve been holidaying in Wales for the last week and I’m trying to catch up on the puzzles I’ve missed. I need to do last week’s Sunday puzzle now, and get that blogged for tomorrow.
cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (–)*, and removals like this
| 1 | COURTROOM = COURT (seek) + MOOR (secure) rev – ‘Try here’ is the definition |
| 6 | BRIDGE + WORK |
| 12 | I + T(CH)IER |
| 13 | THROW A FIT = (HAT OR + W)* + FIT |
| 14 | TOTE + M |
| 16 | EXECUTIVE TOY = EXECUTE (Maybe hang) about IV (four) + Y |
| 17 | AUSTERLITZ = AUSTER |
| 19 | I DON’T MIND IF I DO = I DON’T MIND (one’s OK with) + FIDO (dog) about I (eating one) – ‘invitation acceptance’ is the definition |
| 22 | INTIFADA = (AID + FAINT)* – ‘supply’ is the anagrind. Not a word I knew |
| 24 | DUFF + UP |
| 25 | AMATEURISH = (THE SAMURAI)* |
| 26 | CAPRI – rev hidden |
| 29 | RARE = REAR (behind) with the E moved to the end – ‘little done’ is the definition, as in steaks. |
| 30 | HEN NIGHT = HEIGHT (highness) about N (noon) + N (note) – ‘party for her’ is the definition – clever lift & separate required on ‘Her Highness’ |
| 32 | TIN LIZZIE = TIZZIE |
| 34 | DOVER SOLE = DOVE (peacemaker) + S in ROLE (part) |
| 35 | RODERICK = RICK after RODE |
| 36 | Z + INC – Inc. being a common denoter of US companies |
| 39 | SUSAN = SUN about AS (in part of) rev |
| 40 | NUDGE NUDGE = EG + DUN all rev x2 – I didn’t know this meaning of DUN, to persistently chase an outstanding debt |
| 42 | SONATA = (A + NOS) rev + TA (cheers) |
| 44 | UMBRELLA = (MULL BEAR)* – semi-&lit |
| 46 | REGISTERED POST = RED about (GIST + ERE) + POST (paling) |
| 48 | SEMIQUAVER = SEMI (house) + QUA (as) + REV (minister) rev |
| 49 | UNA + F(FORD)ABLE |
| 53 | SHIVA = SHIA (Muslim) about V (very, short) – Jewish period of mourning |
| 54 | DEATH MASK – cd |
| 55 | EAR + WIGS – I rather like ‘artificial bean covers’ for WIGS |
| 56 | DISHARMONY = ON in (DISH + ARMY) |
| 57 | KOREAN WAR = (NEAR WORK + A)* |
| Down | |
|---|---|
| 1 | CYCL |
| 2 | UBIQUITOUS = U + BIO about QUIT (pack in) + US |
| 3 | TERRIFIC = (REF + CRITI |
| 4 | OUT + RE |
| 5 | M + ARROW + FAT – I’m not entirely convinced about ‘healthy’ for FAT, although the meaning of wealthy or profitable comes close |
| 6 | BAWL = “BALL” |
| 7 | INFLUX = (N + FLU) in XI rev |
| 8 | GET IT IN THE NECK = GET IT (twig) + THE (article) + NECK (pet) all about IN (at home) – ‘Receive huge stick’ is the definition, although I’m not sure ‘huge’ is really needed here. |
| 9 | WATER BISCUIT = (RICE IT WAS BUT)* – A neat surface |
| 10 | RETSINA – rev hidden in ‘VAN IS TERRIFIC’ |
| 11 | SIDE + WIND + ER |
| 15 | MEZZANINE = ME (note) + Z x2 (sharp double bends) + NINE (a square) |
| 18 | AD + JUST + |
| 20 | OFF + DRIVES |
| 21 | DIMINUENDO = DIM + “INNUENDO” |
| 23 | BIRTH RIGHT |
| 27 | PIZZICATO = C |
| 28 | HERO AND LEANDER = (ONE HAD LEARNED + R |
| 31 | GARDENER = (RAGE)* about (R + DEN) – ‘One got in’ being the definition, referring to posh people who ‘get a man in’ to do the gardening. |
| 33 | ORANGE SQUASH = ORANG (primate) + E/S (cardinal points) + QUASH (scotch) |
| 34 | DISCUSSES = SID rev + CUSSES (stubborn folk) |
| 37 | CHART RE-USE |
| 38 | HOODED CROW = HO + (CODEWORD)* |
| 41 | UNION JACK = |
| 43 | ARBORETA = BORE TA after (A + R) |
| 45 | BAMBINI = BAMBI + IN rev |
| 47 | GELATO = TALE rev in GO |
| 50 | FAKIR = FA (one following me, in musical notes) + KIR |
| 51 | BRIAR = IR rev in BAR |
| 52 | WH(E)Y |
C.ONG’ARA,
NAIROBI.