No 13744, Friday 23 Dec 2022, Dr. X

Margazhi 8 Rangoli by Gowri

Hanuman Jayanti Artwork by Prasanna

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ACROSS

1   Shoot a troublesome person in European city (8) BUDAPEST {BUD}{A}{PEST}

5   Start to arouse model, one enthralled by drink in chamber (6) ATRIUM {Ar...e}{T}{R{1}UM}

10 Thrill in brief romp with lad (7) FRISSON {FRISk}{SON}

11 Everybody wearing cravats and suits (7) TALLIES {T{ALL}IES}

12 Series on one channel, primarily relating to mystic symbols (5) RUNIC {RUN}{1}{Ch...l}

13 Start with new nicotine patch initially (9) INCEPTION {NICOTINE+Pa..h}*

14 General practitioner provided comfort daily (6,6) FAMILY DOCTOR*

18 Car, say, with fancy chrome - love it! (5,7) MOTOR VEHICLE*

21 Lump of metal covers set with power device in engine (5,4) SPARK PLUG {S{PARK}{P}LUG}

23 Nawab bothering, confining head of monks (5) ABBOT [T]

24 Strange buzz with bit of ale in bar (7) INHUMAN {IN{HUM}{Ale}N}

25 Cut and go, slashing right of point for runs (4-3) RAKE-OFF (-t+r)RAKEOFF

26 Fake tears produced by whiz at the end (6) ERSATZ {TEARS}*{whiZ}

27 Winning with a little aggression, possible after capturing rook (8) ADORABLE {Ag...n}{DO{R}ABLE}

DOWN

1   In anticipation of headache, takes drug with bit of food (6) BEFORE {B{E}{Food}ORE}

2   Condescends with snide cracks about girl (6) DEIGNS {DEI{G}NS*}

3   Subtly hush a little child kept by couple in stroller (9) PUSHCHAIR {P{HUSH*}{Ch..d}}AIR}

4   Delicate person invites nervously to propose in lodge (9,5) SENSITIVE PLANT {SE{INVITES*}{PLAN}T}

6   Flower in revolting dump outside Long Island (5) TULIP {TU{LI}P<=}

7   Pioneer's popular, not very corrupt (8) INITIATE {IN}{vITIATE}

8   Young lady's brief article, sarcastic, showing contempt for men (8) MISANDRY {MISs}{ANd}{DRY}

9   How kid tucking into jam might be thievish (6-8) STICKY-FINGERED [DD]

15 Leak finally found in dilapidated oriental ship transporting fuel (3,6) OIL TANKER {leaK} in {ORIENTAL}*

16 Leaving out love letter (8) OMISSIVE {0}{MISSIVE}

17 Associates like to cuddle couple of models with desire (8) ATTACHES {A{TT}{ACHE}S}

19 Hold a rifle, turning to protect small boy (6) ABSORB {A}{RO{S}B<=}{B}

20 Check set of steps crossing top of fence (6) STIFLE {STI{Fe..e}LE}

22 Well-groomed maiden looked after houses (5) KEMPT {KE{M}PT}

Reference List

Model = T, Power = P, Runs = R, Rook = R, Drug = E, Girl = G, Very = V, Small = S, Boy = B, Maiden = M