Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Daily Nation Complex Crossword Of Wednesday, March 2, 2016.
By Edwin Korir. Eldoret, Kenya.

Across

1a    Course created by a man from St Andrews? (5)
ASCOT: We begin with a nice simple charade (or Lego clue if you prefer): just the A from the clue and then someone hailing from the part of the world where St Andrew lies.  The result is a racecourse oft seen in crosswords

4a    One’s time of arrival (8)
BIRTHDAY: The time of year – the exact date, in fact – when one arrived in the world

8a     Burly Pat reformed in a very sudden way (8)
ABRUPTLY: Our first anagram of the day is of BURLY PAT, indicated in the clue by reformed

9a    Team members’ weapons (8)
SIDEARMS: Another word for team or squad then some members, in this case limbs

11a    Soft-hearted moneylender who enters office uninvited (7)
USURPER: A niftily indicated insertion of P (soft-hearted) into a moneylender who would probably be charging excessive rates of 10d

13a     Need month off, as recovering (2,3,4)
ON THE MEND:  An anagram (off) of NEED MONTH.  Fun though it was, I hope the revellers at Saturday’s celebration don’t need anywhere near this long to recover!

15a    Fishmonger who has a monopoly? (4,11)
SOLE DISTRIBUTOR: Read one way, the answer means someone who deals with one particular type of fish; read another (s)he is the only fishmonger around.  The first word went straight in but I needed a couple of checkers for the second

18a     Ships  in which sherry may be served (9)
SCHOONERS: A pair of definitions that are often seen next to each other in crossword clues.  A sailing ship and a large sherry glass

21a     Marks exercises during exam, causing uproar (7)
TEMPEST: Inside (during) an exam, insert the abbreviations for (Deutsche) Marks and some school exercises (not the type requiring an exercise book)

22a    Courteous and kind?  Goodness me! (8)
GRACIOUS: Another brace of definitions, the first having a royal flavour.  The second one could loan its me to the answer without any meanings changing

24a    Boring task for the affluent (4-2-2)
WELL-TO-DO: The (de-hyphenated) answer could describe the situation if one had to bore a shaft for the purposes of obtaining water

25a     A translation that creates antipathy (8)
AVERSION: The A from the clue and (a) translation or edition

26a    Grounds which are worth seeing, one hears (5)
SITES: Another common homophone – a word which sounds like (one hears) nice views or tourist attractions

Down

1d    Secretary uses name Susan, I fancy (10)
AMANUENSIS: A literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts.  Constructed by taking the letters in NAME SUSAN I and rearranging them (fancy).  A new word for me

2d    Musical  baggage carrier (8)
CAROUSEL: This is a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, from which comes You’ll Never Walk Alone.  It’s also something travellers spend ages watching in the hope that at some time their luggage will appear safe and sound and not turn out to have been send to Tibet.  (Unless they’re in Tibet)

3d    Maximum rate for a spinner? (3,5)
TOP SPEED: This means the maximum velocity for anything, but could possibly indicate the rate of revolution of a spinning children’s toy

4d    Equine animals making canine sounds (4)
BAYS: Reddish-brown or chestnut horses with black points.  Barks or howls

5d    Take things the wrong way? (6)
THIEVE: The wrong way here means immorally and so the answer is a word meaning pilfer

6d    Educational measure? (6)
DEGREE: An academic rank conferred by a college or university.  Or a measure – for example, of temperature or angle

7d    Boys may turn into aggressive teenagers (4)
YOBS: It’s an anagram, indicated by may turn into

10d    Return from the capital (8)
INTEREST: Monetary return on an investment

12d    Philosopher offers wine and gold when entertaining us (8)
ROUSSEAU: The philosopher is Jean-Jacques, French writer, composer and political theorist of the Enlightenment.  He is formed of a colour of wine into which is inserted (entertaining) the final word of the clue, all followed by the chemical symbol for gold.  Readers of the comments section may recall that Hanni recently experimented with making this type of wine using an unorthodox but apparently valid method.  The verdict: “awful”

14d    Misrepresented in edicts or orders (10)
DIRECTIONS: I had a momentary brain-fail here trying to work out how on earth the answer could mean misrepresented.  That is of course actually the anagram indicator, and the definition is underlined.  The rest of the clue gives the letters you need

16d    Business leader takes a walk to see source of blackberries (8)
BRAMBLES: Take the first letter (leader) of Business and then add a verb meaning walks for pleasure

17d    Become established down under? (4,4)
TAKE ROOT: Nothing to do with our antipodean friends – we are only penetrating a little way down here.  The cryptic part of the clue refers to the underground part of a plant which keeps it embedded

19d    It gives one who is stiff a ride (6)
HEARSE: A particularly pleasing surface for those with a certain kind of mind, but with the chestnut flavour meaning of stiff, the answer is something of an anticlimax.  This poor stiff is being transported to his or her final resting place

20d    Experts know them to be edible bulbs (6)
ONIONS: Those who are skilled or knowledgeable are said to know their these  They are edible bulbs, delicious in a multitude of preparations

22d    Miss going to a festival (4)
GALA: A lass and then the A from the clue

23d    Singer who is said never to give an encore (4)
SWAN: If the word song is affixed to the end of the answer there will be no further performance – not today, nor ever.  That term comes from a classical legend that this creature sings at death

Thursday, February 25 2016

Daily Nation Complex Crossword Of Thursady, February 25, 2016.
By Edwin Korir. Eldoret, Kenya.


Across Clues
7a Master criminal amusing friend endlessly, in the morning back inside (2,6)
FU MANCHU – string together an adjective meaning amusing and a friend without the final letter. Finally insert the abbreviation for ‘in the morning’ reversed and you’ve constructed a fictional Oriental criminal genius.

9a Boast about a century in Polish city (6)
CRACOW – a verb to boast or brag contains A (from the clue) and the abbreviation for century.

10a When one chooses a woven cloth (2,4)
AT WILL – A (from the clue) and a woven fabric.
11a Put one in mind of watch left Eisenhower (4,4)
LOOK LIKE – a verb to watch is followed by the abbreviation for left and the nickname of President Eisenhower.
12a Expecting interfering parents and their children to intervene (2,3,6,3)
IN THE FAMILY WAY – a phrase (2,3,3) meaning interfering or impeding one’s progress has a word for parents and their children as a unit inserted (to intervene).
15a Expression of incredulity seen originally in a poem (2,2)
AS IF – the first letter of seen goes inside A (from the clue) and the title of a famous Kipling poem.
17a Bird, headless chicken (5)
RAVEN – remove the first letter (headless) from an adjective meaning chicken or cowardly.
19a Fall in ditch (4)
DROP – double definition, the second a verb to ditch or dump.
20a Sponge made by winning team, unhappy with loaf (6-4,4)
UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE – string together an adverb meaning winning or ahead, a sporting team, an adjective meaning unhappy or depressed and a small loaf.

23a T.S. Eliot wrong about leading edge of table knife (8)
STILETTO – an anagram (wrong) of T S ELIOT containing the first letter (leading edge) of table.
25a Number collecting wood for burning (2,4)
ON FIRE – a small number contains wood from a coniferous tree.
27a Forms an opinion on    book (6)
JUDGES – double definition, the second being the name of an Old Testament book.
28a Musical item making racket — surefire winner, opening in Oliver! (8)
CONCERTO – knit together a slang term for a racket or swindle, an informal word for a sure-fire winner and the opening letter of Oliver! Strictly speaking it should be the wordplay that makes the definition, not the other way round.
Down Clues
1d Only son entering project (4)
JUST – the abbreviation for son goes inside a verb to project or stick out.
2d Drive away one’s husband following disqualification (6)
BANISH – the Roman numeral for one, the ‘S and the abbreviation for husband all follow a disqualification (from driving, for example).
3d Lower   middle (4)
BULL – double definition, the first a creature that lows and the second the round bit at the centre of a target.

4d Hard in small unfriendly place of learning (6)
SCHOOL – insert the abbreviation for hard (a category of pencil) into S(mall) and an adjective meaning unfriendly or frosty.
5d Dedicated hospital given permission (8)
HALLOWED – the abbreviation for hospital is followed by a past participle meaning given permission.
6d Sweated labour in New York — OK, possibly, if supporting daughter (6-4)
DONKEY-WORK – an anagram (possibly) of NEW YORK OK follows (supporting, in a down clue) the abbreviation for daughter.
8d Pick up telephone of rising Republican (4,3)
CALL FOR – start with a verb to telephone or ring, add the reversal (rising) of OF and finish with the abbreviation for Republican.
13d Flower in autumn? It’s out around end of November (10)
NASTURTIUM – an anagram (out) of AUTUMN IT’S contains the last letter of November.
14d Proposed relocation day (5)
MOVED – a relocation or transfer is followed by the abbreviation for day.
16d Strong wind getting up breaks safety device in part of plane (8)
FUSELAGE – a strong wind (rating 8 on the Beaufort Scale) is reversed (getting up) and inserted (breaks) into an electrical safety device.
18d Its effect in the sky gets no women excited? (3,4)
NEW MOON – this is an anagram (excited) of NO WOMEN. There is a theory (which isn’t supported by much scientific opinion and is probably bunkum) that women get friskier during the opposite phase to the answer so that could mean that they don’t get very excited in this phase. The question mark is certainly needed here.
21d Hate extremely delicate examination (6)
DETEST – the outer (extremely) letters of delicate are followed by an examination.
22d Connoisseur’s top bid for chest (6)
COFFER – the first (top) letter of connoisseur is followed by a bid or tender.
24d Individual touring clubs long ago (4)
ONCE – an individual goes round the abbreviation for clubs in card games.
26d Admire Riviera terraced houses (4)
RATE – the clue contains (houses) a lurker.

Friday, February 19 2016

Daily Nation Complex Crossword Of Friday, February 19, 2016.
By Edwin Korir. Eldoret, Kenya.

Across

1a     Congestion around street suffering high winds (3,6)
JET STREAM : A word meaning congestion, often applied to vehicles on the M25, surrounds an anagram (suffering) of STREET.

6a     Sweetener for guards ordered to ignore source of danger (5)
SUGAR : An anagram (ordered) of GUARdS loses the first letter of danger.

9a     Hint about European Union link (3,2)
TIE UP : A synonym for a hint (it appears on the heading for this puzzle) contains the abbreviation for European Union.

10a     Line adopted by new literary big guns (9)
ARTILLERY : An anagram (new) of LITERARY contains an extra L supplied by the abbreviation for line.

11a     Console jury, following prisoner and short internet abuser (7,5)
CONTROL PANEL : A word that describes a jury comes after a three letter prisoner and a word for an internet abuser that loses its last letter.

14a     Caprice married in one beat (7)
IMPULSE : The Roman numeral one, then the abbreviation for married and a beat, possibly given by the heart.

16a     Terrible mistake to have shot a student (3,4)
OWN GOAL : A word meaning to have or possess, then a word for a shot or a turn, A from the clue and a learner.

17a     Overturn marks in game played with matches (3)
NIM : Marks is the old German currency. We need the abbreviation for this, then IN from the clue and reverse it all.

18a     Return to take part in free lectures (2-5)
RE-ELECT : Return as you might do to your MP. The answer is hiding in the clue.

20a     Reveals attitudes struck by English Times (7)
EXPOSES : ‘Attitudes’ as an artist’s model might show, comes after the abbreviation for English and the mathematical symbol for multiplying.

22a     Compensation provided for variable costs in a Fiat (12)
SATISFACTION : An anagram (variable) of COSTS IN A FIAT.

26a     Rule established by limited company? (9)
OLIGARCHY : A cryptic definition of a government by a small exclusive class.

27a     Order forecast, ignoring PR (5)
EDICT : A word meaning to forecast has PR removed from its beginning.

28a     Try escorts, losing heart maybe (5)
ESSAY : The first and last letters (losing heart) of escorts and then a word meaning maybe, or for example.

29a     Row in estate perhaps about good fast food available here? (6-3)
DINING-CAR : A word for a row or loud noise, then IN from the clue, the abbreviation for good and what an estate could be an example of.

Down

1d     Project on energy in fibre (4)
JUTE : Project here is a verb and is followed by E(nergy).

2d     Part of golf course millions swarm around (4)
TEEM : The part of golf course where the action starts and the abbreviation for millions.

3d     Earth summit’s social oddly ignored (7)
TOPSOIL : A word for summit then the S from the clue and alternate letters of social.

4d     Precise demand (5)
EXACT : A double definition, the second meaning as used in the Milton quote ‘ Doth God ***** day-labour light deny’d’.

5d     Bad omen, supporting underground timekeeper (9)
METRONOME : An anagram (bad) of OMEN follows what the underground railway is called in some parts of the world.

6d     Seasonal depression somewhere in desert? (4,3)
SALT PAN : A cryptic description of an area sometimes found in deserts. Seasonal here refers to our most common food seasoning.

7d     Ecofriendly sign, to be building for growth (10)
GREENHOUSE : A colour that means ecofriendly and another word that is used to describe a sign of the zodiac.

8d     Hand making blue blood turn red? (5,5)
ROYAL FLUSH : An adjective describing somebody purportedly having blue blood, and a word meaning to take on a rosy complexion.

12d     Very little opportunity for viewer? (10)
MICROSCOPE : A word meaning very little or extremely small is followed by one meaning an opportunity.

13d     Redesigned part in apse belongs (10)
APPERTAINS : An anagram (redesigned) of PART IN APSE.

15d      Sent daughter to pursue opening (9)
ENTRANCED : An opening, or a doorway perhaps, is followed by an abbreviation for daughter.

19d     Price reduced by nothing in simple drug (7)
ECSTASY : A word meaning price is ‘reduced by nothing’ by having its O removed and appears inside a word meaning simple.

21d     Radio programme that’s mostly fraudulent — and popular (5-2)
PHONE-IN : A word meaning fraudulent or false loses its last letter then the two letter word for popular. We enjoyed the accurate description given by the surface reading.

23d     Hear working is an attempt to deceive (3-2)
TRY-ON : Hear as a magistrate might do, and a short word for working.

24d     Something of jazz included in metal? (4)
ZINC : It’s hiding in the clue.

25d     Wake up in cooler (4)
STIR : A double definition. The cooler here could be a pen, a can, porridge etc, etc.

Tuesday, May 11 2010

Daily Nation Complex Crossword Of Tuesday, May 11, 2010.Solution 23.
By Edwin Korir. Eldoret, Kenya.

An entertaining puzzle.

Across

1a Try a dip for recreation in short outing (3,4) DAY TRIP
An anagram (re-creation) of TRY A DIP.

5a Short hem catching a bit of yarn – like an old garment? (7) FRAYING
A charade of a hem is a FRING(E-short) and (catching) A and the first letter (bit) of Yarn defines like an old garment.

9a City with little change in cost – it’s naturally seen as steep? (9) PRECIPICE
Counstucted from EC (area of the City of London) and IP (1p, little change) inside PRICE (cost).

10a Recall an extended period in stadium (5) ARENA
A reversal (recall) of AN and ERA (extended period).

11a Son not working making move furtively (5) SIDLE}
A charade of S(on) and IDLE(not working) to define move furtively.

12a First sign of damaging rust most suffered – a natural hazard? (4,5) DUST STORM
A charade of D(first sign of Damaging) and an anagram (suffered) of RUST MOST to define a natural hazard.

13a Belittle tatty carpet kept by woman (9) DEPRECATE
Another charade of an anagram (tatty) of CARPERT inside DE(woman) defines belittle.

16a Wag, one appearing in pack? (5) JOKER
A cryptic definition of a playing card.

17a Shout around start of rowdy punch-up (5) BRAWL
Counstructed from BAWL(shout) around R(start of Rowdy).

18a Calm stay disrupted around college? A disaster (9) CATACLYSM
An anagram (disrupted) of CALM STAY around C(ollege).

20a Variety of Romans in a small republic (3,6) SAN MARINO
An anagram (variety) of ROMANS IN A.

23a Silent actor not performing with second poet (5) KEATS
????

25a Do recipe in instant (5) TRICK
A real cryptic crossword clue. The defenition is DO and is obtained from R(ecipe) inside TICK(instant).

26a Set up society for research (9) INSTITUTE
A double definition.

27a Tender gift (7) PRESENT
Another double definition.

28a Flats could be part of this in a house? (7) SCENERY
A cryptic clue.

Down.

1d Deputy does wrong and is removed from office (7) DEPOSED
A charade of DEP(uty) and an anagram (wrong) of DOES.

2d Concede return of financial investment (5) YIELD
A double definition.

3d Spell I hear sadly having relinquished power to cause agitation (5,4) RAISE HELL
An anagram (sadly) of S(p)ELL I HEAR (with the P, i.e. power, removed) produces a phrase meaning make a lot of trouble (cause agitation).

4d By the sound of it, group containing cubs maybe was nosy (5) PRIED
A homophone(by the sound of) of PRIDE(group of of lions).

5d There’s fee possibly for this newspaper? No! (9) FREESHEET
An anagram (possibly) of THERE’S FEE produces a newspaper that’s given away.

6d Collect a master and principals among school staff (5) AMASS
A charade of A, MA(master of arts) and SS(principals of School Staff).

7d Key choice when playing sport (3,6) ICE HOCKEY
An anagram (playing) of KEY CHOICE.

8d Small measure to spoil a student’s textbook? (7) GRAMMAR
A charade of GRAM(small measure) and MAR(spoil).

14d Clear connection shown around verse that’s mournful (9) PLAINTIVE
Another charade of PLAIN(clear), TIE(connection) with V(erse) inside (around).

15d This vicar upset keeper of records (9) ARCHIVIST
An anagram (upset) of THIS VICAR.

16d Raise offensive weapon and cause mayhem on road? (9) JACKKNIFE
A charade of JACK(raise) and KNIFE(offensive weapon -sometimes).

17d Sot pub’s treated roughly getting place by kerbside? (3,4) BUS STOP
An anagram (treated roughly) of SOT PUB’S.

19d Month without a set larking on railway? It can’t be explained (7) MYSTERY
A charade of M(a)Y -without A-, an anagram(larking) of set and RY(railway).

21d Section in bank leasing joint (5) ANKLE
A hidden answer(section) in bANK LEasing.

22d Feature in dry region unchanged after start of October (5) OASIS
A charade of AS IS (unchanged) after O (start of October)

24d Entertain a figure offering inspiration? (5) AMUSE
A cryptic clue.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Daily Nation Complex Crossword Of Monday, May 10, 2010.Solution 22.
By Edwin Korir. Eldoret, Kenya.

A puzzle full of Easter words.

An example of jokers in 13a.

Across.

1a Claims keen cook made traditional Easter fare (6,4) SIMNEL CAKE

An anagram (cook) of CLAIMS KEEN produces a cake eaten on Easter.

6a Knock back some gin (4) TRAP

A reversal of PRAT to define gin.

10a Bert and Jack seen in church (5) ALTAR

A charade of AL(bert) and TAR(sailor)

11a Sort of roll, A-E, etc? (9) ELECTORAL

A well hidden anagram (sort) of ROLL, AE and ETC.

13a Jokers perhaps, conveying Easter greetings (5) CARDS

double definition

15a Gets off with a slight upset (7) ALIGHTS

An anagram (upset) of A SLIGHT.

17a Notice dad in study, poker-faced (7) DEADPAN

A charade of AD(notice), PA(dad) in DEN(study) defines poker-faced.

19a Got legs broken? Wooden pins provided! (7) TOGGLES

An anagram (broken) of GOT LEGS.

21a They become high when there’s more than one (4-3) DEEP-SEA

&lit clue.

22a Puzzle concerning public transport (5) REBUS

A charade of RE(concerning) and BUS(public transport).

24a Sounding completely muted, this period is actually very sacred (4,4) HOLY WEEK

A homophone of WHOLLY(completely) and WEAK(muted).

27a Revolutionary development in naval firepower (3,6) GUN TURRET

A cryptic definition.

28a Singers of low songs (5) BASSI

Another cryptic clue.

29a Classic flower clings to the ear (4) STYX

A homophone of STICKS defines a river(flower)

30a Virtuous servant observed in 24 across (4,6) GOOD FRIDAY

A complex charade of GOOD(virtious)and FRIDAY(robinson crusoe's servant).

Down

1d Hands up for those wanting change (4) SWAP

A reversal (up) of PAWS(hands).

2d Young producer with gin cocktail describes a mid-Lent Sunday (9) MOTHERING

Another complex charade of MOTHER(young producer-this cryptic crossword setters are completely mad) and an anagram(cocktail) of GIN.

3d Regretted caging a bird (5) EGRET

A bird is hidden (caging) in the clue.

4d Sticks together or splits apart (7) CLEAVES

A double definition. This verb can means both sticks together and the complete opposite.

5d Got down to making a proposal? (7) KNEELED

A cryptic definetion.

7d The right are right less often (5) RARER

A funny charade of R(right) ARE and R(right).

8d Paul’s and my arrangement for start of 24 across (4,6) PALM SUNDAY

An anagram (arrangement) of PAUL’S AND MY gives the first day of 24a.

9d Stakes raised for the defence (8 ) STOCKADE

Cryptic definition.

14d Possibly segregates articles that may be present in April (6,4) EASTER EGGS

An anagram (possibly) of SEGREGATES.

16d Continues to resist offers (5,3) HOLDS OUT

A double definition.

18d Mad, being had (9) POSSESSED

Another double definition, with had meaning owned.

20d Half the school get zero, unusual for music (7) SCHERZO

A charade of SCH(half the school) and an anagram(unusual) of ZERO defines sort of music.

21d Weakened the spirit, perhaps (7) DILUTED

Cryptic definition.

23d Sort of girl to take to the hop at Easter? (5) BUNNY

Another cryptic clue?

25d He wrote music for the Internet with hesitation (5) WEBER

A charade of WEB(intrernet) and ER(hesitation) defines a composer.

26d It’s purely symbolic, especially for Irish Republicans after Easter (4) LILYCant figure it out.

Wednesday, May 05,2010

Daily Nation Complex Crossword Of Wendsday, May 05, 2010.Solution 21.By Edwin Korir. Eldoret, Kenya.

A really complex puzzle.

The answer to 23a.

Across

1a Attractive European’s main point (8,4) MAGNETIC POLE

A charade of MAGNETIC(attractive) and POLE(a European-polish) gives a main point.

8a A couple of reps imprisoned in brand-new tower (7) MINARET

A nice charade of a word meaning tower that is counstructed from A and REP inside MINT(brand new)

9a Succeeds in getting a first in theology — it’s an original (7) ATTAINS

Another charade of A, T(first in Thelogy) and an anagram(original) of ITSAN.

11a Start to relax on living-room chair (7) LOUNGER

Put R(start to relax) after(on) LOUNGE(living room) to get a chair.

12a Piece of legislation, say, covering Utah (7) STATUTE

Counstructed from UT(utah) inside(covering) STATE(say).

13a Lots of bay trees oddly missing (5) FATES

A deletion(missing) of the odd letters(oddly) in the words oF bAy TrEs defines lots i.e destiny.

14a Broke? That’s new in struggling novelist (9) INSOLVENT

A mixed clue of N(ew) inside an anagram of NOVELIST.

16a Held back artist in sophisticated surroundings (9) REFRAINED

A charade of RA(artist-royal academy) inside(in) REFINED(sophisticated).

19a A sailor might be confused (2,3) AT SEA

A double definition

21a Winning rows on river and rackets (7) UPROARS

A cryptic clue

23a Officer in kneepads needed to protect this venue (3,4) ICE RINK

Another hidden clue(needed to proect) in offICER IN Kneepads to define a venue.

24a Trying to avoid reversing except I have followed (7) EVASIVE

A reversal of SAVE(except) then IVE(i have) means trying to avoid.

25a Bridge across child’s practice area for driving (4,3) SKID PAN

A charade of KID(child) inside(across) SPAN(bridge).

26a Means of preserving freedom — hardly, with no right to be flexible (12) FORMALDEHYDE

An anagram(to be flexible) of FREEDOM and HA(r)DLY(without R- no right) defines a chemical preservative.

Down

1d Organized search for piece finally began in shed (7) MANHUNT

A charade of MAN(piece-in chess), N(finally begaN) with HUT(shed) inside(in) defines an organized search.

2d Current fashion in fuel for vehicle repair shops (7) GARAGES

Put RAGE(current fashion) in GAS(fuel).

3d Resort next to Rio getting money through threats (9) EXTORTION

An anagram (resort) of NEXT TO RIO gives the act of getting money through threats

4d Religious leaders’ one master manuscript (5) IMAMS

A charade of I (one), a Master of Arts and MS an abbreviated manuscript.

5d Potential danger of drop after Portsmouth started with Italian (7) PITFALL

Created by puttingFALL a drop after P (Portsmouth started) and ITalian

6d Lie about certain time off work (7) LEISURE

An anagram (about) of LIE is followed by SURE a word meaning certain to define time off work

7d Amount of money earned for being included in minor musical composition (5,7) SMALL FORTUNE

A charade of FOR in SMALLTUNE defines musical.

10d Gently persuading, gets a new kilt designed (5-7) SWEET-TALKING

An anagram (designed) of GETS A NEW KILT means gently persuading.

15d Eleven with child? That’s not the main point (4,5) SIDE ISSUE

A charade of SIDE(eleven-players) and ISSUE(child).

17d A chaotic mixture of jazz music found in Portuguese city (7) FARRAGO

cant figure out how.

18d Primitive type of cash machine swallowed new visa (7) ATAVISM

A charade of ATM(cash machine) in an anagram(new) of VISA defines primitive.

19d The last word on it and youth leader’s facility (7) AMENITY

Another charade of AMEN(last word), IT and Y(youth leader) to define facility.

20d What a painter might do for second drink? (7) STIPPLE

A charade of S(econd) and TIPPLE(drink)

22d Start of summer and spring is fine in America (5) SWELL

Start with S then WELL(spring as in water) to get an american word meaning fine.

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Daily Nation Complex Crossword Of Tuesday, May 04, 2010.Solution 20.

By Edwin Korir. Eldoret, Kenya.

A charade galore that now seems to be the norm on Tuesday.

The answer to 10a.

Across Clues

1a Reckless fling? (11) PRECIPITATE

A double definition of an adjective meaning reckless and a verb meaning to hurl or fling something.

10a Cat’s lunge lacking power (5) OUNCE

Start with POUNCE (lunge) and remove P(lacking power) to get a snow leopard. A new word to me.

11a Ace group with single many find dissolute (9) ABANDONED

A word meaning dissolute is structured from A(ce), BAND(group), ONE(single) and D(many-roman D meaning 500).

12a Learned about Catholic anger for heresy (9) SACRILEGE

Counstucted from SAGE(learned) with C(catholic) and RILE(anger) inside(about) to define heresy.

13a Muscular geezer embracing broad (5) LARGE

A hidden answer in muscuLAR GEezer to define broad.

14a Start of December’s more glacial and dangerous (6) DICIER

A charade of D(start of december i.e first letter of december) and ICIER(more glacial) to get a word meaning danhgerous.

16a Entire US turning greedy (8 ) ESURIENT

An anagram (turning) of ENTIRE US provides an adjective meaning greedy.

18a They have piles of energy! (8 ) REACTORS

A cryptic definition of structures in a nuclear power station.

20a Potential human enemy, America holding terrorist leader (6) FOETUS

A slightly complex charade in counstruction but easy in figuring out the charade parts. Enemy is FOE, America is US and T(terrorist leader) to define potential human.

23a Scientist is least bothered (5) TESLA

An anagram (bothered) of LEAST gives us the Serbian scientist who the SI unit is named after.

24a Trick is, call girls back with a diamond? (9) STRATAGEM

A charade of TARTS(call girls) reversed(back), A and GEM(precious stones) to define a trick.

26a Composer frequently sounds like another (9) OFFENBACH

Another charade of OFFEN a homophone of OFTEN(frequently) and BACH a German composer to give another French composer.

27a Ashes holder following second miss (5) MOURN

Another charade of MO(second-time) and URN(ashes holder) defines miss.

28a Somebody from Interpol, say (11) PERSONALITY

An anagram of INTERPOL SAY.

Down Clues

2d Regarding unusual Northern Italic characters initially (5) RUNIC

&lit clue in which the initial letters spell the answer.

3d Rift in Church concerning sin (7) CREVICE

A charade of C(hurch), RE(concerning) and VICE(sin) defines a rift.

4d Removes excess wood from trees (6) PLANES

A double definition of a verb meaning shaves off wood and types of tree.

5d Ends of tether, hostile and cross (8 ) TRAVERSE

A charade of TR(ends of tether) and AVERSE(hostile).

6d A little bleak? (7) TIDDLER

Cryptic clue.

7d Mislead party on allowance payment (13) CONSIDERATION

A charade of CON(mislead), SIDE(party-in a dispute, say), and RATION(allowance) defines paymet.

8d Most passionate redhead that’s in distress (8 ) ANGRIEST

A charade of R(red head) and IE(that's) inside ANGST(distress).

9d TV set remained off for commercial (13) ADVERTISEMENT

An anagram (off) of TV SET REMAINED.

15d Keep secret from neurotic lass, if yelling (8 ) CLASSIFY

A hidden clue in neurotiC LASS IF Yelling.

17d Very French, run following invasion! (8 ) TRESPASS

A word sum of TRE(very in french) and PASS(run like water) defines invasion.

19d Radio broadcasting inane and empty rot (7) TRANNIE

An anagram (broadcasting) of INANE and R(o)T (empty, i.e. just the outer letters) give us radio.

21d Best pal I’m to do over (7) OPTIMAL

An anagram (do over) of PAL I’M TO means best.

22d Punk, rockin’ and rollin’, losing head (6) URCHIN

A deletion of last lettes fom LURCHING (rocking and rolling) defines a punk.

25d Noise from little pig under pig’s tail (5) GRUNT

A charade of RUNT(little pig) after(under) G(pig's tail) to define noise.

Cryptic Crosswords Abbreviations.

Cryptic crosswords use a lot of abbreviations in counstruction of clues, here are a few.


Clues beginning with A
About - c or ca (circa) or re Account - ac Accountant - ca (chartered accountant) Ace - a Advert - ad Afternoon - pm Against - v or vs (versus) Agent - rep (representative) Agricultural - ag Air conditioning - ac Alien - et (extraterrestrial) Also known as - aka Aluminium - al (chemical symbol) America - am, us or usa (United States of America) Amnesty - ai (Amnesty International) Arbiter - ref(referee) Army cop - mp (Military Policeman) Arsenic - as (chemical symbol) Artificial intelligence - ai Artillery - ra (Royal Artillery) Artists - ra (Royal Academy) Attorney - da (District Attorney) or pa (Practicing Attorney) Australia - aus or oz (slang name for Australia) Avenue - ave


Clues beginning with B
Bachelor of Arts - ba Bachelor of Medicine - bm Basque nationalists - eta Bearing - n, e, s, w, ne, nw etc. (compass points) Beginner - l (for Learner) Bend - s or u (U-bend and S-bend) Bill - ac (account) or iou Bishop - b or rr (Right Reverend) Bob - s (shilling) Book (or books) - nt (New Testament), ot (Old Testament) Boy - b Byte - b

Clues beginning with C
Calcium - ca California - ca Car - t (Model T), rr (Rolls-Royce) Care of - co Caught - c or ct Celsius - c Cent - c Centigrade - c Century - c Certificate - x, u, pg, r, g (from the film certificates) Chartered accountant - ca Chief - ch Chlorine - cl (chemical symbol) Chromosome - x or y Church - ch or ce (Church of England)or rc(Roman Catholic) Circa - c Circle - o (the letter O is a circle) City - ny (New York), la (Los Angeles), or ec (postcode for City of London) Coin - p (penny), d (from the Latin denarius) or c (cent) - d or c would usually have "old" or "American" as well as "coin". Colonel - col Colt - c Company - co Compare - cf (abbreviation of the Latin confer) Compass point - n, e, s, w (and other bearings) Conservationists - nt (National Trust) Conservative - c, con Constable - pc (police constable) Copper - p (penny), d (denarius), cu (chemical symbol), pc (police constable) Court - ct Credit - cr Criminal - con Cross - x Current - ac (alternating current), dc (direct current), ad (Anno Domini) or amp Current account - ca Cystic fibrosis - cf

Clues beginning with D
Date - d Daughter - d Dead or Died - d, dec (deceased), ex Debts - ious (IOU (debt)) Deceased - d, dec, ex Decoration - vc (Victoria Cross), gc (George Cross) Degree - deg, c (Celsius or Centigrade), f (Fahrenheit), ba (Bachelor of Arts), ma (Master of Arts). Detectives - cid Detective inspector - di Deutschmark - dm Direction - n, e, s, w (and other compass bearings) Disc - o (the letter O is round, like a disc), ep (extended play record), lp (long play record), cd (compact disc) Doctor of Divinity - dd Doctor - doc, bm (Bachelor of Medicine), mb (Medicinae Baccalaureus), md (Medicinae Doctor), mo (medical officer), gp (General Practitioner), dr Drip - iv (intravenous drip) Drug - c (cocaine), e, x (both short for ecstasy) or h (heroin) Dry - tt (teetotal) or aa (Alcoholics Anonymous) Duck - o (from the cricket score of 0)

Clues beginning with E
Each - ea East - e East Germany - gdr (German Democratic Republic) Ecstasy - e or x (slang names for the drug) Editor - ed Egg - o (the letter O loosely resembles the shape of an egg) Electricity - ac (alternating current), dc (direct current) Eleven - ll (II looks similar to 11), or xi (Roman numerals) Engineer - ce (civil engineer) or re (Royal Engineer) or me (mechanical engineer) English - e Escape - esc Estimated time of arrival - eta Europe - eu (European Union), ec (European Community) Exercise - pe (physical education), pt (physical training) Extra - w (from the extra runs in cricket for a wide ball) Extra large - xl Extra terrestrial - et

Clues beginning with F
Fahrenheit - f Father - da, dad, fr, pa Female - f Fighter plane - mig (type of plane) Firm - co (company) Fifty - l (Roman numeral (lower case L)) Five - v (Roman numeral) Fleet - rn (Royal Navy) Flying bomb - vi (looks like V1) Football association - fa Football club - fc For example - eg (short for the Latin exempli gratia) Former - ex Four - iv (Roman Numeral) France - f Frenchman - m (Monsieur)

Clues beginning with G
Game - ru(Rugby Union) Gas - h (hydrogen), o (oxygen), n (nitrogen), cs (tear gas) German submarine - u (U-boat) Germany - ger, d (Deutschland) Gold - au (chemical symbol), or (in heraldry) Good - pi (pious) Good Man - st (abbreviation for Saint) Graduate - ba, ma (university degrees) Gram - g Grand prix - gp Grand - g, m (Roman numeral for 1000), k (kilo-) Group - gp Gunners - ra (Royal Artillery)

Clues beginning with H
Hectare - ha Helium - he Heroin - h Hire purchase - hp Holy man - st (saint) Home counties - se (South-east of England) Honours - ba or ma (see Degree) Horse - g, gg (slang) Hospital - h Hour - h Houses of Parliament - hp Hundred - c (Roman numeral) Husband - h

Clues beginning with I
Iceland - is (country code) Inch - in Information - gen Information technology - it Intelligence - iq Iodine - i (chemical symbol) Ireland - ire Irish Republican Army - ira Iron - fe (chemical symbol)

Clues beginning with J
Jack - j, tar, ab (sailor) Jet - mig (type of plane) Jolly - rm (Royal Marine) Journalist - ed (editor) Judge - j Junction - t (T-junction) Junior - jr

Clues beginning with K
Kelvin - k Kentucky - ky Key - a, b, c, d, e, f or g (musical keys) Kick off - ko Kilo - k King - k, r (from the Latin rex), hm (His Majesty), or hrh (His Royal Highness), or gr (King George (rex)) Kiss - x (the symbol for a kiss) Knave - j (Jack) Knight - k, kt, kbe (Knight Commander of the British Empire) or kg (Knight of the Garter) or n(The symbol for a knight on a chessboard) Knock out - ko Knot - kt

Clues beginning with L
Labour - lab Lake - l or la Large number - c, d, m (Roman numerals) or k (kilo-) Last month - ult (ultimo) Lawrence - dh (D. H. Lawrence) or te (T. E. Lawrence) Lead - pb (chemical symbol) Learner - l Left - l Liberal l or lib Lieutenant - lt Litre - l Local area network - lan Long playing record - lp Long wave - lw Loud - f (forte), or ff (fortissimo) Los Angeles - la Love - o (zero score in tennis)

Clues beginning with M
Maiden - m (cricket terminology for no runs in an over) Male - m, he or pa Map-makers - os (Ordnance Survey) Marines - rm (Royal Marines) Married - m Master of ceremonies - mc Medal - vc (Victoria Cross), gc (George Cross), obe (Order of the British Empire), om (Order of merit) Medic - doc (short for doctor), bm (Bachelor of Medicine), mb (Medicinae Baccalaureus), md (Medicinae Doctor), mo (medical officer), gp (General Practitioner), dr (short for doctor) Master of Arts - ma Master's - ma (Master of Arts degree) Megabyte - mb Member - mp (same as Member of Parliament (below)) Member of Parliament - mp Messerschmitt - me Middle East - me Midfielder - l (the 'mid' letter of 'fielder') Military Police - mp Ministry of Defence - mod Minute - m Model - t (Model T Ford) Monarch - er (Elizabeth Regina), gr (George Rex), q (queen), k (king) or r (rex/regina) Monsieur - m Morning or Half Day - am Mother - ma Motorway - m or mi (looks like M1)

Clues beginning with N
National Trust - nt Navy - rn (Royal Navy), abs (able-bodied seamen) or tars (slang for seamen) Nazis - ss (Schutzstaffel) Neon - ne (chemical symbol) Never-never - hp (synonym for hire purchase) New - n New Testament - nt Nitrogen - n No ball - nb (cricket terminology) North - n Not applicable - na Note - nb (from the Latin nota bene) or a, b, c, d, e, f, g (musical notes) Nothing - o (the letter O looks like the number 0) Now - ad (from the Latin Anno Domini) Number - v, x, c, d, m, l (Roman numerals)

Clues beginning with O
Odds - sp (starting price) Officer - oc (Officer Corps) Old - o Old person - oap Old Testament - ot One - i (I is the roman numeral for 1) or rarely a, an (not normally used in British crosswords) Operating system - os Operation - op Oriental - e (East) Ounce - oz (abbreviation) Outsized - os Over the top - ott Overdose - od Oxygen - o

Clues beginning with P
Page - p Painters - ra (Royal Academy) Paramilitaries - eta (Basque Nationalists), ira (Irish Republican Army), uff (Ulster Freedom Fighters), uda (Ulster Defence Association) Parking - p Party - lab, lib, con or c (Political Parties) Peacekeepers - un (United Nations) Pencil - hb Penny - p, d (old penny), cu (copper) Physical education - pe Physical training - pt Piano - p Plane - mig (type of plane) Plate - l or p (L-plate and P-plate) Poet - ts (T.S. Eliot) Point - n, e, s, w (and other compass bearings) Pole - n (north) or s (south) Policeman/men - pc (Police Constable), di (Detective Inspector), met (Metropolitan Police), cid (Criminal Investigation Department) Politician - mp Posh - u (short for upper class) Post office - po Potassium - k (chemical symbol) Pound - lb (weight) Priest - rev (reverend), rr (Right Reverend), dd (Doctor of Divinity), fr (Father), eli (Eli (Bible)) Prime Minister - pm Prisoner of war - pow Promises - ious (I owe yous) Province - ni (Northern Ireland) Pub - ph (Public House)

Clues beginning with Q
Queen - q, er (Elizabeth Regina), hm (Her Majesty) Quiet/quietly - p (piano)

Clues beginning with R
Railway - r, ry or br (British Rail) Record - ep (extended play record), lp (long playing record) Regina - r Retired - ret Reverend - rr (Right Reverend), dd (Doctor of Divinity), rev Rex - r Right Reverend - rr Right - r Ring - o (the letter O looks like a ring) River - r Road - rd or ai (looks like A1) Rolls Royce - rr Rook - r Royal Academy - ra Royal Artillery - ra Royal Engineers - re Royal Marines - rm Royal Navy - rn Run - r

Clues beginning with S
Sailor - ab (able-bodied seaman), tar (slang), rn, salt Saint - st Sappers - re (the Royal Engineers equivalent of "private") Say - eg (short for the Latin exempli gratia) Seaman - ab (able-bodied seaman) Secret service - ss Setter - i or me (meaning the setter of the crossword) Shilling - s Significant other - so Ship - ss (steam ship) Short wave - sw Silver - ag (chemical symbol) Sodium - na (chemical symbol) Softly - p (musical notation) Soldier - rm (Royal Marine), re (Royal Engineer), gi (General Infantryman) Soldiers - men, or (Other Ranks) Son - s South - s Sportsman - blue(From Oxford - Cambridge Face-Offs) State - any abbreviation of an American State (e.g. CA, FL ..) Street - st Student - l (learner) or nus (National Union of Students) Submarine - u (U-boat) or sub Sweat - bo (Body odor)

Clues beginning with T
Tar - ab (able-bodied seaman) Tax - vat (Value added tax) Teachers - nut (National Union of Teachers) Team - xi (Roman numerals for eleven players in a football or cricket team) Teetotal - tt or aa (from Alcoholics Anonymous) Ten - x (Roman numerals) or io (IO looks like 10) Territorial Army - ta Terrorists - eta (Basque Nationalists), ira (Irish Republican Army), uff (Ulster Freedom Fighters), uda (Ulster Defence Association) That is - ie (from the Latin id est) Theologian - dd (Doctor of Divinity) This month - inst (from the Latin instante mense) Thousand - g (grand), m (Roman numeral), or k (kilo-) Thus - ie (short for the Latin id est) Time - t, s, m Times - x (multiplication symbol) Toilet - wc (water closet) Tory - con (slang for Conservative) Trendy - in (euphemism) Tripod - Y (shape of a Tripod) Tyro - l (for learner)

Clues beginning with U
Ulster - ni (Northern Ireland) Ulster Defence Association - uda Ulster Freedom Fighters - uff United Nations - un Unknown - x, y or z (Mathematical variable) University - u or ou (Open University) or up (in the UK one goes up to university)

Clues beginning with V
Value added tax - vat Variable - x, y or z (Mathematical unknown) Versus - v or vs Very - v Volunteers - ta (Territorial Army)

Clues beginning with W
Way - rd (road), st (street), ave (avenue) Weight - g (gram), lb (pound) Whistle-blower - ref(referee) Wide - w (cricket) With - w Without - wo Work - op (operation), opus (classical music) Worker - ant

Clues beginning with Y
Yard - yd or y Year - y or yr

Clues beginning with Z
Zero - o (the letter O looks like the number 0)