No 13522, Tuesday 05 Apr 2022, Dr. X

Solution to 4D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

1   Intoxicated on arrival, invites fine lady for a lively dance (8,5) HIGHLAND FLING {HIGH}{LAND{F}{L}ING}

8   Irish police officer’s taunt about lawyer (5) GARDA {RAG<=}{DA}

9   Opinion about a senior’s technique of sculpture (3-6) BAS-RELIEF {B{A}{SR}ELIEF}

11 Concoction of poison in pot killing Putin’s last adversary (10) OPPOSITION {POISON+In+POT}*

12 A largely gloomy month in Israel (4) ADAR {A}{DARk}

14 Guarantees treatment of enuresis, eliminating source of infection (7) ENSURES ENURESiS*

16 Kaif in essence embodies elegance (7) FINESSE [T]

17 Miss overwhelmed by drink wants ecstasy, getting more sullen (7) BLACKER {Be{LACK}ER}

19 Pro enthralled by ornament composed of three parts (7) TRIFORM {TRI{FOR}M}

21 Enthusiastic assistance to secure victory (4) AVID {A{V}ID}

22 Ghost in programme on air — it’s horrific (10) APPARITION {APP}{ON+AIR+IT}*

25 Mortality from failure of heart during meeting (5,4) DEATH RATE {D{HEART*}ATE}

26 Remodel a room in retreat on time (5) ADAPT {A}{PAD<=}{T}

27 Female embraced by heart-throb, so excited, panting (5,2,6) SHORT OF BREATH {F} in {HEART+THROB+SO}*

DOWN

2   Enters suddenly and trips, slipping over mat abruptly (7) IRRUPTS {IR{RUg}PTS*}

3   Medical problem in theatre, top surgeon operates after taking consent (10) HEATSTROKE {HEAT{Su...n}TR{OK}E*}

4   Range of device, not good (5) A?B?T (Addendum - AMBIT gAMBIT - See comments))

5   Embarrass by dance with married female at bash when husband’s away (9) DISCOMFIT {DISCO}{M}{F}{hIT}

6   Plant in sanctuary close to riverbank (4) LEEK {LEE}{r...nK}

7   New adjutants catch glimpse of amazing nymphs (7) NAIADES {N}{AI{Am...g}DES}

8   What surfer might do to be highly enthusiastic (2,9) GO OVERBOARD [DD]

10 Found guys overwhelmed by drink making a bloomer (6-2-3) FORGET-ME-NOT {FORGE}{T{MEN}OT}

13 Threaten one meeting daughter in secret (10) INTIMIDATE {{INTIM{1}{D}ATE}

15 Device on head of prisoner in wretched old form of torture (9) STRAPPADO {S{TRAP}{Pr...r}AD}{O}

18 A deceiver ensnaring girl at hotel in Indian city (7) ALIGARH {A}{LI{G}AR}{H}

20 Preparing a toxin containing primarily deadly chemical agent (7) OXIDANT {A+TOXIN}* over {De...y}

23 Sombre captain turns somewhat caustic (5) ACERB [T<=]

24 Burn most of document (4) CHAR CHARt

Reference List

Fine = F, Lady = L, Senior = SR, Ecstasy = E, Victory = V, Time = T, Female = F, Good = G, Married = M, Husband = H, New = N, Daughter = D, Old = O, Girl = G, Hotel = H