1 - It may be dropped at the time of war! (6,4) - ATOMIC BOMB [CD]
9 - Dutch uncle and father are first to hear the band tune (6) - {OOM}{PAH}
10 - A form of non-violent resistance (10) - SATYAGRAHA [E]
11 - A local ruler (6) - SATRAP [E]
12 - Plunge into the surface of the Pacific to allow you and the French men to be taken in (7) - {P}{L{U}{MM}ET}
16 - Handcuff the guard (5) - CHAIN [DD]
17 - Goddess I finally prayed to in United Nations (4) - {I}{D}{UN}
18 - Object to link the corners of the globe (5) - {WED}{G(-lob)E}
19 - Watery discharge from a wound (5) - ICHOR [E} Never heard of this , had to Google search for it
20 - Dismiss the woman in anger (4) - {F}{IRE}
21 - Push one’s way into the boat (5) - BARGE [DD]
22 - Character of a boy in the commotion (7) - {A}{LAD}{DIN}
27 - Operation by an American in the North is discussed out on time (6) - ONR{US}H(-t)*
29 - Portrayal of reputed leaders in a strong limitless position (10) - {RE}{F}LECTION Anno pending
30 - Business is at a prime position in Spain (6) - {EMPIR*}{E}
31 - Task for the lady is to exchange the set of papers (10) - {WORK}{SHE}ETS*
DOWN
2 - Animal in a dry region (4) - T{E}AL Another guess. Tal's are dry lakes in Rajasthan. E is maybe from East. (Correction - THAR [DD] See comments below)
3 - Can he initially manage the lawlessness? (6) - {MAY}{HE}{M}
4 - Small fishing boat (6) - COGGLE [E] Good guess!
5 - Speak about the baronet leaving the borders of Berlin (5) - ORATE(-b-n)*
6 - Show-off the snake on the road (5) - {BOA}{ST}
7 - Came nearer to a chopper stranded around a dam initially (10) - A{PPROACHE*}D
8 - Same as ’bump and run’ (4,3,3) - CHIP AND RUN [E]
12 - Financier regularly may win the second rook in the game (4,6) - P{A}{W}{N} {B}{R}OKER
13 - Not disclosed if mummified (5,5) - UNDER WRAPS [CD}
14 - Shy boy, I first dislike (5) - {TIM}{I}{D}
15 - Man will not assess a region (5) - {JUDE}{A}
23 - Pulls down the French coverings out of line (6) - {LE}{VE(-i}LS} I is supposed to look like a line I presume!
24 - Leftover the same, dry regular glue (6) - {DO}{TT}{L}{E}
25 - Katherina perhaps is the lady holding a royal woman (5) - {SH{R}E}{W}
26 - Put off an editor going up when one is not in doubt (5) - {DE<-}F{ER} ) F from ?
28 - Told to steal an instrument (4) - LOOT(~lute) This clue should have been 'Told an instrument to steal' of course using NJ's grammar.
GRID
1A THAR
ReplyDeleteSorry 2D is THAR
ReplyDelete1 down: THAR(DD) (animal/desert)
ReplyDeleteThat was supposed to be 2 down.
ReplyDeleteThar is a goatlike animal (Capra Jemlaica) native of the Himalayas.(WordWeb)
Thanks John & Sandhya,
ReplyDeleteDid not know that TAHR can also be spelt as THAR
26 - Put off an editor going up when one is not in doubt (5) - {DE<-}F{ER} ) F from ?
ReplyDeleteThe way I thought of it is:
Editor going up : de<-
ONE is not in doubt: FE(-a)R
Put off: DEFE(-a)R
Is this a possibility?
A couple of dictionaries of Indian English in my library have only TAHR or tehr for wild goat.
ReplyDeleteTHAR is there yes, but it is not goat but eland or antelope.
Thar is of course desert or dry region.
THAR is the solution as per the crossings (from the above). I am writing this only to clarify the position on different spellings and also the def 'animal' keeps the differences and causes no confusion.
veer
ReplyDeleteThat's great!
It's a distinct possibility and goes well with this particular compiler's known predilections.
But I think that what the compiler had in mind is our blogger's... ... line of thinking.
how exactly is the anno of pawn broker?!
ReplyDeleteDeepak
ReplyDeleteYour illustration seems to be that of a tahr or tehr, which is a beardless mountain goat seen on forest peaks.
THAR, I think, is eland.
Needs some checking!
Good morning everyone
ReplyDelete@ Sandhya, about a decade ago, for the sake of a write-up for a foreign periodical, I had made a small research into the life-pattern of the Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), and its close cousins - the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius) and the Arabian Tahr (Hemitragus jayakari).
Does the Himalayan Tahr have anvy connection with the animal you have mentioned? I would be happy if you throw some light on this.
Incidentally, the Arabian Tahr is found only in the Sultanate of Oman and some parts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was discovered in Oman by an Indian surgeon, Dr Atmaram S G Jayakar, who had lived there for over 30 years towards the end of the 19th century. It is therefore named Hemitragus jayakari, in honour of him. (Hemitragus = half-goat.)
Richard
Financier regularly may win the second rook in the game (4,6) - P{A}{W}{N} {B}{R}OKER
ReplyDeleteFinancier = Definition = PAWN BROKER
regulary = NJ's Indicator to take alternate letters
regularly may win = A W N
the = connector
second = B(second letter)
rook = R
in the = inclusion indicator
game = POKER
THAR is a variant for the spelling of TAHR
ReplyDeleteMay I, in view of the prevailing mood and consensus about the compiler, take the courage of saying 'Give the DEVI her due'?
ReplyDeleteIMO, 9A, 10A, 3D and 13D were good clues.
But, 30A - I have heard of 'business empire' but can 'business' be equated with 'empire'? That is what the clue suggests.
8D - Verbatim repetition of 'and run' in the clue and answer. Although it may not be wrong, does it go well with the norms of crossword-setting? Over to experts - Chaturvasi and Shuchi.
Richard
thanks colonelji!
ReplyDeleteWould love an Anno for 30A. I didn't get why Spain is E. Thanks
ReplyDeleteGood morning all, Richard: That info on Tahr was wonderful piece of information.
ReplyDelete@Pip,
ReplyDeleteSpain = Espana. Does that ring a bell?
@ Krishnan, thanks. It is always nice to share useful information with others. There couldn't be a better forum than this blog.
ReplyDelete@ Pip.. E is short for Espana, Spanish name for Spain. This abbreviation is accepted in international circles like motor vehicle regisrry and the Internet. BTW, this point got a mention here some time ago. You may have missed it, if you are a recent entrant.
Richard
Oh, Deepak, you overtook me by a whisker - no pun intended - in clearing Pip's doubt.
ReplyDeleteRichard
@colonel and richlas: Thanks a lot. I am a pretty recent entrant but am learning quick thanks to all the wonderful comments. The bit about Atmaram Jayakar was simply fabulous.
ReplyDelete24 down anno?
ReplyDeleteAny views on REFLECTION at 29A
ReplyDelete@vck,
ReplyDeleteLeftover = Definition - DOTTLE
the same = DO(ditto)
dry = TT(teetotaller)
regular = indictor to take alternate letters
regular glue = L E
24D
ReplyDeleteDO = the same
TT = Dry or teetotaller
LE = Regular(alternate letters) glue
Leftover is the definition
@Colonel: I am no expert but here's what I thought about 29A.
ReplyDelete{RE}{F}{(-e)LECTION)}
One of the definitions of election - the relative position or standing of things or especially persons in a society.
I saw that anno by Bhavan at the Orkut group but it didn't look convincing to me, howevere since two people have got the same thaought it must be the correct one, shall wait for some more ideas.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the limits of lection to make it position, since REF are obviously right
ReplyDeleteLooks like Pip's anno is right, and appears to fit in with what we know of NJ. Obscure meaning of election, limit meaning one end, F is strong in the long list etc.
ReplyDeleteFrom the Clustr map on my blog I saw a red dot growing larger in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, I was intrigued as I thought someone was accesing my blog from an Oil Rig, my geography being bad I decided to check it out and found that it is from The Bermudas!
ReplyDeleteHaving seen it now on Google earth it looks like the most exotic place to stay in. Reminds me of my 6 year long sojourn in the Andamans.
So who is it staying at the Bermudas, please identify yourself just for my information
@ Krishnan and Pip... Since the subject of Tahr and Dr Jayakar has interested you, I will try to fish out from my archives the hard copy of my writeup which was published in a foreign periodical about 15 years ago, and scan it.
ReplyDeleteIf you feel like having a copy, you can send me your email IDs at richlas@gmail.com so that you can go through the story. It was based on a painstaking research during the pre-Internet and Google days.
Since I have the email IDs of Col, Chaturvasi, Suresh and Shuchi already, they too will get copies. But please allow a week's time.
Richard
Sure Richard, will send you e-mail shortly.
ReplyDeleteRichard,
ReplyDeleteTIA for the art. that you will be sending me.
Deepak
ReplyDeleteI do not find any support in any of the standard dictioanries that I have for position = election.
Pip must have looked up some online dict.
Also, 'portrayal' as def. for 'reflection' is also iffy, in my humble opinion.
I was ignoring the question but as there is some followup, I thought I would put in my two-paise worth.
Chaturvasi,
ReplyDeleteI normally check for meanings and definitions on the web at www.thefreedictionary.com and that is the site to which I provide most of my links.
In this case the free dictionary does point to the meaning given by Pip
This is what is shown there
'election - the status or fact of being elected; "they celebrated his election"
status, position - the relative position or standing of things or especially persons in a society; "he had the status of a minor"; "the novel attained the status of a classic"; "atheists do not enjoy a favorable position in American life"
Though I was not convinced.
You can see it for yourself HERE
My position is this:
ReplyDeleteWhile not decrying any online dictionary, I will say that some online dictionaries are not dependable at all.
I have seen these define one word but in the illustrative sentences that word may not be used at all but some synonym of the defined word.
And there are instances when the so-called definition uses the very word that the dictionary sets out to define!
Reference to standard dictionaries online or print editions (such as Merriam Webster, American Heritage, Chambers etc) is required while settling disputes/clearing doubts.
Deepak
ReplyDeleteFurther to my note above, I followed the link that you provide.
As I said dictionaries like this seem to do autosearch and provide results from various online sources.
There is no human intervention.
Among the results are legitimate senses of 'election'.
In the entries under Thesaurus, the def. against 3 election is perfect. But 'status, position' underneath it is problematic. The illustrative sentences for these two words are fine.
But we cannot conclude election = position.
Some weird auto pickups have happened there.
@Chaturvasi
ReplyDeleteYou are right of course. I normally use the OED and occasionally my tattered Chambers. Online Dictionaries are only for CW solving when we have someone like NJ
portrayal =reflection.
ReplyDeletereputed leaders=re
position can also be flexion,extension etc in medical terms.
28D. TOLD TO STEEL =LOOT
ReplyDeleteINSTRUMENT IS TOOL WHICH IS THE ANANAGRAM OF LOOT AND HENCE I THOUGHT THE CLUE WAS OK.
CORRECTION .TOLD TO STEAL AND NOT STEEL .
ReplyDeleteI was using WordWeb (not online) and it does list one (obscure) meaning of position as election and hence my answer in THC community.
ReplyDeleteSuccessfully solving a clue is one thing and appreciating the skill with which the said clue was constructed is another. Sadly I didn't have the satisfaction of the latter for 29A.
Like numerous others mentioned, the portrayal = reflection and position = election references are not in the least bit convincing. They'll do in the context of the grid, but ...
28d as written leads to LUTE, not LOOT.
ReplyDeleteI too have Wordweb on my machine but I do not and I cannot rely on it for the same reasons mentioned above.
ReplyDeleteIf you have noticed, it also collects material from sources. The entries are similar to what freedictionary threw up.
election = the status of being elected. I agree hundred per cent.
But from this we cannot infer election = status, position.
@Richard: Sorry for the late response - had a power outage.
ReplyDeleteThis is what WordWeb says about THAR(also spelt as TAHR): A goatlike animal (Capra Jemlaica) native of the Himalayas. It has small, flattened horns, curved directly backward. The hair of the neck, shoulders, and chest of the male is very long, reaching to the knees.
28d is not an anagram clue, not even a concealed anagram clue.
ReplyDeleteMinisters, why, even actors, say something and then later come out with a statement to explain what they meant.
ReplyDeleteI am not against online dictionaries. I am against socalled dictionaries which seem to sweep the Web and gather search results.
If we go directly to any online dcitionary that I mentioned above, I don't think there is any support for election = position.
@bhavan: I think your anno for 29 across must be the one intended by Nita Jaggi. I have sometimes noticed her clues being word for word definitions given by WordWeb.
ReplyDelete@ Sandhya: Thanks. You too can have a copy of the write-up on the Arabian Tahr in a few days, just in case you are interested.
ReplyDelete@ Chaturvasi: Did you, by chance, miss seeing my early-morning post above on 8D, wherein I had sought your and Shuchi's views?
Richard
No, R, I didn't miss it.
ReplyDelete8d is a poor clue and not worthy of comment.
@ Thanks, C. I too felt the same way, yet thought of knowing others' viewpoints.
ReplyDeleteRichard
Can someone please tell me how dutch uncle = OOM? TIA
ReplyDeleteSuresh
ReplyDeleteIn dutch language uncle is OOM.
Easy way to find out is to go to Language tools in Google. Type 'uncle' in translate text box and ask for conversion from english to dutch.
@ Suresh OOM is the Dutch word for uncle
ReplyDeleteThanks @tpa and @Suresh
ReplyDeleteAlso can u help me with the anno for Man will not assess a region (5)
{JUDE}{A}
What is {A}? TIA
Not having much time ,I do the crossword in the evening with the Concise Oxford Dictionary and Roget's Thesarus by my side. Today I missed out on COGGLE,OOMPAH,SATRAP,ICHOR,DOTTLE,LEVELS. By the time I log in , everybody else seems to have analysed the crossword threadbare.
ReplyDeletewoman in anger... boy in commotion
ReplyDeleteI wish compilers would use a better link word than 'in'. I was on a goose chase trying to put all kinds of boys (al, des, tim, ted) inside all kings of commotion (din, racket, tumult, uproar).
25D The complete anno is {JUD(-G)E}{A}.
ReplyDeleteHope this is clear.
G is for gent or man and 'will not' is the deletion indictor
@Gemini,
ReplyDeleteShow-off = Definition
the = connector
snake = BOA
on the = connector
road = ST(street)
Seems like an all-time high count - 60 comments !
ReplyDeleteThe more the merrier, I am no. 61.
Richard
I can say that today's had been absolutely brilliant .. Some nice clues and a fantastic discussion here ..
ReplyDeleteA big Thank You to all the contributors!
Cheers
BOA is a type of snake, check it out HERE
ReplyDeleteWhoa lots of lively comments! I haven't read through the entire thread, only responding to election = position as asked by CVasi Sir. Pardon me if I'm repeating what's already been said.
ReplyDeleteI do not find any support in any of the standard dictioanries that I have for position = election.
Pip must have looked up some online dict.
Also, 'portrayal' as def. for 'reflection' is also iffy, in my humble opinion.
Agree. I can't see this listed in my dictionaries either, and cannot think of a sentence in which position = election can be used interchangeably without loss of meaning. Similar thoughts on 'reflection = portrayal'.
www.thefreedictionary.com is not very reliable especially for secondary word meanings.
@ Chaturvasi:
ReplyDeleteSir,Please cool down reg Gemini.Few months back,I'd have also thought of 'Bhrath.. Overseas.. Airways...' for BOA.He has joined this forum now, Isn't it ? He'll come along.
BTW,What a discussion!
I was busy yesterday.Really lucky to have seen all the feedback instead of refering to the answer grid published today.
Thanks a lot @Suresh.
ReplyDelete