Monday 25 December 2023

No 14054, Monday 25 Dec 2023, Hypatia

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Artwork by Prasanna
 

Rangoli by Gowri

Solution to 8D 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.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS
1   Bird gasping's no good (6) PUFFIN PUFFINg
4   Messenger carrying a cake oddly in box (7) PACKAGE {P{A}{CaKe}AGE}
9   Taken by PM Modi entering European Union with the German backing (9) ENAMOURED {E{NAMO}U}{DER<=}
10 Jolly couple using drug for acting (5) MERRY M(-a+e)ERRY
11 Next race entertains more (5) EXTRA [T]
12 Auditor's cardinal rule (9) PRINCIPLE (~principal)
13 Approaches pet returning with spasms (7) TACTICS {CAT<=}{TICS}
15 Strategic move in match shortened slightly (6) GAMBIT {GAMe}{BIT}
17 Greek Church embracing trendy Dr. Seuss character (6) GRINCH {GR}{IN}{CH}
19 Pondered about lives wasted (7) MISUSED {M{IS}USED}
22 Identify partner (9) ASSOCIATE [DD]
24 Generate Braille removing the French sign (5) LIBRA BRAILle*
26 Regretted about stealing minute object (5) DEMUR {RU{M}ED<=}
27 Most of this lot ran amok in sports event (9) TRIATHLON {THIs+LOT+RAN}*
28 Record store with navy's symbol (7) EPSILON {EP}{SILO}{N}
29 Say, spring in step as shown regularly (6) SEASON {StEp+As+ShOwN}

DOWN
1   Gift here and now (7) PRESENT [DD]
2   Traces of fertilizers easily allow seeds to spread (5) FEAST Acrostic
3   One running saloon restricts it over quarantine (9) ISOLATION {1}{SALOON*} over {IT<=}
4   Promising to sacrifice bishop for pawn? That's sweet (7) PUDDING (-b+p)PUDDING
5   Entertainer and actor frequently join one boring host (5) COMIC {aCtOr}{M{1}C}
6   Declines Academy Awards (9) ATROPHIES {A}{TROPHIES}
7   Rarely seen fencing a palace in France (6) ELYSEE [T]
8   Suspends doctor providing copies (6)  ?R?P?S (Addendum - DRAPES {DR}{APES} - See comments)
14 Arrange charms over one's tree initially in festival (9) CHRISTMAS {CHR{I'S}{Tree}MAS*}
16 Film legend goes below the French plant for a traditional kiss (9) MISTLETOE {MIST}{TOE}<=>{LE}
18 Play there hiring a new console (7) HEARTEN {HE{A}RTE*}{N}
19 It covers nerves from setter's feelings essentially (6) MYELIN {MY}{feELINgs}
20 Persuaded Shaman in war dance to return inside (5,2) DRAWN IN [T<=]
21 Light from LED flickering under fire (6) CANDLE {LED}*<=>{CAN}
23 Pass around a rapper's first song (5) CAROL {C{A}{Ra...r}OL}
25 Brides embrace lasting love symbolized basically in rings (5) BELLS Acrostic

Reference List
Good = G, The in German = DER, Greek = GR, Church = CH, Trendy = IN, The in French = LE, Minute = M, Record = EP(Extended play), Navy = N, Bishop = B, Pawn = P, Host = MC, Acabemy = A, New = N, Fire = CAN

19 comments:

  1. Wonderful puzzle. Maybe one of the very few times I had almost no lingering doubts. Only 16D I didn't get the annotation right.
    Nice breakfast serving on Christmas. Thanks Hypatia.
    Merry Christmas folks. 🍰🎊🎊🎊

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  2. P&G
    I mean great work by Prasanna and Gowri! Super.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you CGB sir...P&G initials famus for Proctor & Gamble......Thanks for the new initals. we will make it coluful this blog as and when the event occurs.

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    2. P&G also is a tribute to Hypatia - setter of Brand crosswords

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    3. It's our pleasure. Thank you CGB sir.

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  3. Lovely artwork by Prasanna and rangoli by Gowri!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks AJ mam. Have a gr8 day

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    2. Lovely work by Prasanna and Gowri. Merry Christmas to all. Thanks for a lovely grid.

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  4. Great drawing by Prasanna( may be I am seeing your free sketch drawing first time). Equally colourful rangoli by Gowri. Thanks to both of you for making important days even more special by adding your colours.
    Thanks.
    Sathia

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    Replies
    1. well noted. sathia. Thanks for your wishes. I am keen on free sketch and painting. Due to time constraint the theme convertd to Mandala. will concentrate on paintings in future.

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  5. 8 down is drapes,
    Dr is doctor and copies is apes

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  6. Lovely thematic grid today.
    My fav - MISTLETOE, EPSILON, ATROPHIES.
    Thanx Hypatia!

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  7. Thanx to all of you who liked mu Rangoli.
    Wishing you all a great festive season ahead!

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