Published on Boxing Day, so my concentration levels were not at their best when I solved this after a family lunch. I can’t remember my time, but it was nothing special.
No particular highlights or quibbles, apart from the repeated use of the same word to clue the same part of the solution in two instances. 21 D and 48 A both use E.R. from “Queen” in the clue, and even less forgivable is the repeat of GO clued by “run” in two consecutive clues (30D and 32D).
Across |
|
---|---|
1 ADAPTATION – (A DATA POINT)* | |
6 DELICATESSEN – DELICATE = easily damaged garment, SSEN = NESS = head, reversed | |
14 RECHECK – RE = concerned with, CHECK = US restaurant bill | |
15 RHUBARB – BAR = pub, in R(uns), HUB = centre | |
16 CHAGRIN – CHA(p) = fellow, GRIN(s) = grimaces | |
17 OMIT – O.T. = Old Testament = part of bible, around MI = note | |
18 CANCEL – C(h)ANCEL = altar area | |
20 TETRAGON – TETRA = tropical fish, GON = NO G(ood) reversed | |
24 THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL – THE TENANT OF WILDE(e) = Oscar’s lodger, FELL = declined, H(ours), ALL = every | |
25 YTTRIUM – Y = unknown, TT = teetotal = dry, RUM = spirit, around I. My Chemistry degree has some use after all. | |
26 HALF-TONE – double definition, although my musical knowledge is not enough to confirm the second. | |
27 SCAMPI – CAMP = live temporarily, in S(mall) I(sland) | |
29 NORTHERN LIGHTS – NORTHERN (f)LIGHTS = Arctic air services | |
31 LOWLIGHT – (s)LOW = drawn out, (s)LIGHT = insubstantial. | |
34 WELL DONE – WELL = bore, DONE = finished | |
36 PROCRASTINATOR – (I CAN STAR TORPOR)* | |
39 DETEST – DE(f)TEST = most skilful | |
41 TELLTALE – TELL = Middle Eastern mound, TALE = story. My last one in as I needed to check the first part in Chambers | |
43 ADDRESS – A(rea), D(ied), DRESS = shift | |
46 YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE – (YOU ASS GRUESOME DIAGNOSIS)* | |
47 CREATION – C(onservative), RE(l)ATION = association | |
48 RANGER – RANG = called, E.R. = queen | |
49 STET – hidden in haSTE Tomorrow | |
53 ORIGAMI – O(ld) RIG = equipment, A MI = a note | |
54 TORMENT – MEN = soldiers, in TORT = unlawful act | |
56 deliberately omitted – please ask if unsure | |
57 KINDERGARTEN – KINDER = more helpful, GEN = information, around ART = paintings | |
58 BOTTLENECK – BOTTLE = confidence, NECK = to canoodle | |
Down | |
1 AIRWORTHY – AIR = broadcast, WORTHY = important person | |
2 deliberately omitted – please ask if unsure | |
3 TEEM – MEET = stumble on, reversed | |
4 TAKE A HAMMERING – (GEMMA, KATHARINE) | |
5 OAR – initial letters of Olympics At Rio | |
7 ELAN – hidden in dixiELANd | |
8 INBREEDING – odd letters of IsNt, BREEDING = what aristocrats have | |
9 ACCURSED – ACE = very good, D(oghouse) around CURS = wretched mongrels | |
10 EVANGELICAL – alternate letters in wEeViL, around ANGELICA = cake decoration | |
11 STRONG-ARM – (i)S i(T) w(RONG) w(AR) (i’)M – all initial letters removed | |
12 NONE – N(itrogen), O(xygen), NE(on) = three atmospheric gases. Really getting the benefit of that Chemistry degree | |
13 GUILEFUL – (FUGUE ILL)* | |
19 CATCH-ALL – CAT = whip, ALL = everything, around CH(urch) | |
21 PERISH – PISH = expression of impatience, around E.R. = Queen | |
22 DIETETIC – DIET = conference, ETIC = CITE = mention, reversed | |
23 deliberately omitted – please ask if unsure | |
28 PORTLAND CEMENT – (CONDEMN PRATTLE)* | |
29 NOWADAYS – NO = never!, W(ith) ADA = Miss Lovelace, Y(e)S | |
30 GORMLESS – GO = run, R(ight), MESS = confusion, around L(eft) | |
32 GO THE DISTANCE – GO = run, THE = article, DI = Detective Inspector, STANCE = attitude | |
33 CAREWORN – CAR = vehicle, OWNER* | |
35 DESEGREGATE – first halves of DESE(lect) GRE(eks) GA(me) TE(am). The definition is “stop marking race” | |
37 NUDIST – NUT = hard-headed person, around D(aughter) IS | |
38 PEA-SHOOTER – P.E. = exercise, AS = like, HOOTER = nose | |
40 T-JUNCTION – T(imes), J(umbo), UNCTION = slick charm | |
42 ASSORTED – A(cidosi)S, SORTED = equipped with drugs | |
44 SWEET-TALK – SWEET = chocolate, TALK = rabbit | |
45 LEFT-WING – LEFT = port, WIN = get first prize, G(ood) | |
50 COOK – C(r)OOK = thief | |
51 BRAE – BRA(v)E = to face | |
52 STYE – STY(l)E = fashion | |
55 TOO – TOO(k) = captured |
I take the point about the repetitions but would want to make 32dn my cod, a very slick surface to that clue I thought
Edited at 2013-01-06 10:56 am (UTC)