No 14336, Thursday 21 Nov 2024, Afterdark

Solution to 14A 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   President's mail disseminated, one caught in lie on expansion (13) AMPLIFICATION {P+MAIL}*{FIC{A}TION} 

10 More calls made to everyone in the contest (3-6) ALL-COMERS*

11 Location's smell almost getting stale at the end (5) SCENE {SCENt}{s..lE}

12 Middle Eastern custom is unoriginal (5) TRITE {easTern}{RITE}

13 Korean boy band reaches Nebraska, charge? Free (9) EXONERATE {EXO}{NE}{RATE}

14 To fawn over Labour's ridiculous basically (6) S?A?E?

16 First Lady arrives at new flat (4) EVEN {EVE}{N}

19 Approach firm backed by setter (4) COME {CO}{ME}

20 Analyst working after removing variable sideways (6) ASLANT ANALyST*

25 Zero time to pacify outside. It's Hate (9) ABOMINATE {AB{0}{MIN}ATE}

26 Small success in hiring a country lad (5) SWAIN {S}{W{A}IN}

27 Point at tenor instrument (5) THORN {T}{HORN}

28 Reject most, starting late, ones in contest (9) OSTRACISE {mOST}{RAC{1'S}E}

29 Associates almost grab bishop and speakers (13) COLLABORATORS {COLLAr}{B}{ORATORS}

DOWN

2   Think about a golf amateur (new) making a golf term (8) MULLIGAN {MULL}{1}{G}{A}{N}

3   Free bathrooms at England (5) LOOSE {LOOS}{E}

4   One that provides food takes charge at Delaware against resistance (6) FEEDER {FEE}{DE}{R}

5   User gets copper's book to read (8) CUSTOMER {CU'S}{TOME}{R}

6   Sat in the counter in front of television, scenes lack substance, insipid (9) TASTELESS {SAT<=}{TELE}{Sc..eS}

7   At almost one, two directions anyway empty, it's unidirectional (3-3) ONE-WAY {ONe}{E}{W}{An..aY}

8   Person is primarily trapping an insect (6) MANTIS {MAN}{Tr...g}{IS} Containment indicator missing

9   Say, studs seen at border with English Navy (2-3) HE-MEN {HEM}{E}{N}

15 Loving action after break essentially, a little (9) EMOTIONAL {MOTION}<=>{brEak} and {A}{L} L for Little?

17 Sacrifice by man and pet, say at Goombay essentially (8) HECATOMB {HE}{CAT}{goOMBay}

18 Arrogant knight (8) CAVALIER [DD]

21 Subway has a huge cask to hold 50% of fennel (6) TUNNEL {TUN}{fenNEL}

22 Scan topics covering part of a poem (5) CANTO [T]

23 Architectural style from cutting rock at one end, retain the middle and keep an opening (6) ROCOCO {ROCk}{rOCk}{O}

24 Division of Securities & Exchange Commission to counter disintegration (6) SECTOR {SEC}{ROT<=}

26 Introduce small pastry (5) START {S}{TART}

Reference List

President = P, New = N, Variable = Y, Small = S, Tenor = T, Bishop = B, Golf = G, England = E, Resistance = R, Read = R, Navy = N

No 14335, Wednesday 20 Nov 2024, Afterdark

Solution to 1D 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   Fit to steal (11) APPROPRIATE [DD]

9   Say, one from Nigeria can receive fair play (7) AFRICAN {CAN+FAIR}*}

10 Displays a dog's head inside? No, it's dogs (7) SHADOWS {SH{A}{Dog}OWS}

11 Topic of those people - to procure drugs (5) THEME {THEM}{E}

12 Secure right inside, bad debts heartlessly collected (9) HARVESTED {HA{R}VE}{DEbTS*}

13 First lady has book business (5) EVENT {EVE}{NT}

15 Holy man worried, people tense with announcement (9) STATEMENT {ST}{ATE}{MEN}{T}

18 Say, youngsters have support, trouble's overcoming hesitation (9) TEENAGERS {TEE}{NAG{ER}S}

21 Bengali gentleman's at a corner, observe (5) SENSE {SEN}{SE}

22 Quality of tea? Light at the end in stock, right! (9) CHARACTER {CHA}{RAC{l..hT}E}{R}

24 Sisters are full of love for places, things, animals etc (5) NOUNS {N{O}UNS} Definition by example

26 Painful back, one on wear (7) EROSION {SORE<=}{1}{ON}

27 Senior struggling to control one who is more loud (7) NOISIER {NO{1}SIER*}

28 Underground society in a country (11) NETHERLANDS {NETHER}{LAND}{S}

DOWN

1   Statecraft by individuals at Thailand is flat (9) A?A?T?E?T (Addendum - APARTMENT {AP}{ART}{MEN}{T} - See comments)

2   Fantastic, super pouch (5) PURSE*

3   Group put fish in box, right? No, the other way round (9) ORCHESTRA {OR{CHEST}{R}A} No Anind for OARfish

4   Estates managed by revolutionary's primarily socialistic (7) RANCHES {RAN}{CHE}{So...c}

5   Asia tour arranged omitting old country (7) AUSTRIA {ASIA+ToUR}*

6   Eradicate cholera selectively, not entirely (5) ERASE [T]

7   Neither partner's article on force pertains to direction (8) NORTHERN {NOR}{THE}{RN}

8   Employed? Outspend frequently (4) USED {oUtSpEnD}

14 Cruel Eva tortured hiding in lift (8) ELEVATOR [T]

16 Key German city on trial to end racism primarily (9) ESSENTIAL {ESSEN}{TrIAL}

17 Arrest Sue distributing fortunes (9) TREASURES*

19 Former lover taking money at cantonment banks terminated (7) EXTINCT {EX}{TIN}{Ca...nT

20 Saint called Chief Executive? It's odd (7) STRANGE {ST}{RANG}{Ex...e}

22 Bolt loses lead in team (4) CREW sCREW

23 The greatest being. oddly dismissed as stranger (5) ALIEN {ALI}{bEiNg}

25 University (Oxford) joins new coalition (5) UNION {UNI}{O}{N}

Reference List

Drug = E, Right = R, Book = NT(New Testament), Holy man = ST(Saint), Tense = T, Corner = SE, Society = S, Old = O, Force = RN(Royal Navy), Oxford = O, New = N

No 14334, Tuesday 19 Nov 2024, Afterdark

Solution to 10A 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

9   A trainee leaves early at Middle English School, say (7) ACADEME {A}{CADEt}{ME}

10 Excavated cheat's dugout (7) C?N?A?E (Addendum - CONCAVE {CON}{CAVE} - See comments)

11 Husband's having food? Exciting (7) HEATING {H}{EATING}

12 State time on medium (7) AVERAGE {AVER}{AGE}

13 It's plain that trees in Georgia are deforested (9) SERENGETI {TREES+IN+GE}*

15 Time to invest money in street (5) STINT {S{TIN}T}

16 Company in Germany gets a Tesla and covering (7) COATING {CO}{A}{T}{IN}{G}

19 Novice director you reported gets sacked, replaced by Master of Arts (7) AMATEUR A(-u+ma)MATEUR

20 Old military leader training in the wide open (5) AGAPE {AGA}{PE}

21 Say, hearing impaired is with elder pair by arrangement (3,6) LIP READER*

25 Scrutinize in first person reportedly, part of over (7) EYEBALL {(~i)EYE}{BALL}

26 Son gambling when bishop's away in surroundings (7) SETTING {S}{bETTING}

28 Fancy that man getting critical care all round (7) CHIMERA {C{HIM}ERA*}

29 Seamen (English) in Orient are serious (7) EARNEST {EA{RN}{E}ST}

DOWN

1   Approach to get Oscar? Primarily suck feeling of sympathy (6) PATHOS {PATH}{O}{Suck}

2   One at South Africa enters pub in market (6) BAZAAR {B{A}{ZA}AR}

3   Food shop at capital? Not hot (4) DELI DELhI

4   Horse egg, E E E, ridiculous (3-3) GEE-GEE*

5   Painful condition for international cast on tour as spies infiltrate it (8) SCIATICA {I+CAST}* over {CIA}

6   Downplay untreated condition without a bit of stress (10) UNDERSTATE {UNTREATED}* over {St...s}

7   Heaven, erstwhile small denomination money in India can secure radios at 50% discount (8) PARADISE {PA{RADios}ISE}

8   Escapee has Gobi, perhaps with pear frequently (8) DESERTER {DESERT}{pEaR}

14 Reason Mike's beaten? He's a clapper (10) NOISEMAKER*

16 To mix fuel's key to gain energy (8) COALESCE {COAL}{ESC}{E}

17 Professor's at media broadcast in American College, Cuba (8) ACADEMIC {A}{C}{MEDIA*}{C}

18 Metal foil (lead alloy) presented in game (4,4) GOLD LEAF {GOL{LEAD*}F}

22 Discreet history of the Spanish (6) PASTEL {PAST}{EL}

23 One operates a vehicle to get a golf club (6) DRIVER [DD]

24 Expression of agreement given by doctor at house taking time (6) RIGHTO {RIG}{H{T}O}

27 Sailor's tense with call girl (4) TART {TAR}{T}

Reference List

Middle English = ME, Husband = H, Tesla = T, Old military leader = AGA, Training = PE, Son = S, Bishop = B, Seamen = RN(Royal Navy), Oscar = O, South Africa = ZA, Hot = H, International = I, Key = ESC, American = A, College = C, The in Spanish = EL, House = HO, Time = T, Tense = T

No 14333, Monday 18 Nov 2024, Crescent

Solution to 14A 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

8   Calm female, one about to break fast (6) PACIFY {F}{1}<= in {PACY}

9   Rank protects Government leader in office turning insolent (8) ARROGANT {ARRANT} over {G}{Of...e}<= 

10 Lead runs freely in washes (8) LAUNDERS*

11 International organisation working to save lives in accord (6) UNISON {UN}{ON} over {IS}

12 Fetid air circulating chokes passage in mine (4) ADIT <= 

13 Pick up poor creature, tailless pet (10) RECUPERATE {CREATURE+PEt}*

14 Prejudiced when one's last in attempt (6) ?I?S?D (Addendum - BIASED {BI{AS}{onE}D} - See comments)

16 Carelessly making yard a bit dirty? Very much so! (3,3) AND HOW AN{-y+d)DHOW

19 Trouble from dacoits firing a shot (10) DISCOMFORT {FROM+DaCOITS}*

21 English essayist's hit book (4) LAMB {LAM}{B}

23 Only front half wide, narrow inside (6) WITHIN {WIde}{THIN}

24 Alcoholic drinks king arranged in pegs (4,4) PINK GINS {P{KING*}INS}

26 Sailor withdrawing, not prepared to board ship in movie (4,4) STAR WARS {TAR}{RAW<=} in {SS}

27 Dog runs behind couch dropping close to bone (6) SETTER {R}<=>SETTEe}

DOWN 

1   Shot up carrying gold in sack (6) MARAUD {DRAM<=} over {AU}

2   Hearing complaint, can quibble with us (8) TINNITUS {TIN}{NIT}{US}

3   Groom in India denied a say these days (4) SYCE {SaY}{CE}

4   Pathetic chap beginning to dread it in bed (3,4) SAD SACK {Dr..d}{SA} in {SACK}

5   Exultant cast run and pat him on the back in delight (10) TRIUMPHANT {RUN+PAT+HIM}*{d...hT}

6   Humbug, lie really covering piece more hideous (6) UGLIER [T]

7   Some old rent to owner (3,2,3) ONE OR TWO {O}{TO+OWNER}*

13 Basic rule to audit banks ignored - stupid (10) RUDIMENTAL {R}{aUDIt}{MENTAL}

15 Start from home before eleven having time to join high tea (8) INITIATE {IN}{1{T}1}{TEA*}

17 Joys of editor reflecting on answers to crossword clues (8) DELIGHTS  {ED<=}{LIGHTS}

18 Detective wearing fine, posh pants like a dandy (7) FOPPISH {PI} in {F}{POSH*}

20 Be logical, heart may control head without notice (6) COHERE {CO{HEad}RE}

22 Rascal's cheek, ultimately stuffing bread (6) MONKEY {MON{c..eK}EY}

25 Catches when sun rises in cosy den (4) NEST NE(+s)T(-s)

Reference List

Female = F, Government = G, Yard = Y, Book = B, Runs = R, Shot = DRAM, These days = CE, It = SA(Sex appeal), Old = O, Rule = R, Time = T, Detective = PI(Police Inspector), Fine = F, Notice = AD, Sun = S

The Sunday Crossword No 3332, Sunday 17 Nov 2024

ACROSS

1   Suit as may be worn by wealthy (8) DIAMONDS [DD]

5   Walk – gosh – flipping healthy (4,2) HOOF IT {OOH<=}{FIT}

9   That’s a nit I see – just a bit – get clean! (8) SANITISE [T]

10 Where a waltz started in ‘80s pop hit (6) VIENNA [DD]

11 It spins forward – and backward? (5) ROTOR <=>

13 Studying again, finally, Oscar Wilde: where was his Gaol? (9) REREADING {o..aR}{w..dE}{READING}

15 Climbing down, band pick legal high (4-9) BACK-PEDALLING*

17 Top politicians, decadent French-born set (5-8) FRONT-BENCHERS*

21 Where lands steepen, in shelters, the writer’s going to sleep (at first) (9) HILLSIDES {H{I'LL}{Sl..p}}IDES}

22 In favour of second ad (5) PROMO {PRO}{MO}

23 That man is smothered by right-wing presumption (6) THEORY {T{HE}ORY}

24 Getting to Italy, M. le Président will eat a kind of pasta (8) MACARONI {MAC{A}RON}{I}

26 Primarily, man espousing strange ‘magnetism’ – especially restoratively? (6) MESMER Acrostic &lit

27 Bridled, noise of downpour heard (6,2) REINED IN (~rain din}

DOWN

1   Paint picture of Claude’s crib, expertly ignoring parts (8) DESCRIBE [T]

2   Live-in childminder saving skin … her name? (3) ANN nANNy

3   Rock, passé, cut … (7) OUTCROP {OUT}{CROP}

4   … record by Queen censored having fallen from favour (11) DISCREDITED {DISC}{R}{EDITED}

6   Not fashionable, friendless originally: is Everyman folding? (7) ORIGAMI {ORIGinally}AM{I}

7   Evidence of shark; men doing badly in fishy film (7,4) FINDING NEMO {FIN}{MEN+DOING}*

8   A little faint, wan gynaecologist with nasal tone (6) TWANGY [T]

12 Flatus scent – moved: discretion (11) TACTFULNESS*

14 After components switched, Wills’s missus’s posh car is fun way to get about (6,5) ROLLER SKATE (~kate's roller <=> roller skate}

16 Public schoolboy sheltering second old Soviet (8) ESTONIAN {E{S}TONIAN}

18 With ceremony, keep watch (7) OBSERVE [DD]

19 Naval officer, a little indolent, put in ill-considered catnap (7) CAPTAIN {CAPTA{In...t}N*}

20 Time to go with the Blues? (6) RHYTHM [DD]

25 Peculiar to regularly ignore ‘Howdy-do?’ (3) ODD {hOwDy+Do}

Reference List

Second = MO, Italy = I, Queen = R, Second = S, Will's(Prince William) missus = KATE(Princess of Wales) 

No 14332, Saturday 16 Nov 2024, Vidwan

 ACROSS

1 Greats occasionally associated with a northern state's rise (3,2) GET UP {GrEaTs}{UP}
4 Steady Ali is best in action! (9) STABILISE*
9 This city is on it! Perhaps for tantalisation! (7) ATLANTA  CA { ATLANTA+IS ON IT*}=TANTALISATION
10 A broken chair with touch of classicism is antique (7) ARCHAIC {A}{CHAIR*}{Cla.....m}
11 Void whipped by loft's trail (5) DIVOT {VOID*}{lofT} &Lit
12 Quiet and almost grim, Caliph goes back to the paradise city (7-2) SHANGRI-LA {SH}{ANGRy}{ALI<}
13 Fighters for the main battle (5,4) NAVAL UNIT CD
14 Married girl's gift from heavens (5) MANNA {M}{ANNA}
15 Extremist within assault range (5) ULTRA {T}

17 Most peaceful experience, mostly in part of Tanzanian plains (9) SERENGETI {SERENe}{GET It}

19 A typical set of characters without spirits, from the East (4,5) SANS SERIF  {SANS}{FIRES<}
21 Cuckoo! Most boring bird! (5) ROBIN {BORINg*}
22 Tango with wife, starts to orgastically swing on favourite retro dance music (3-4) TWO-STEP {T}{W}{Or.........y}{Sw..g}{PET<}
23 Sapphire, a prize prince rejected in advance (7) ALUMINA {A}{pLUM}{IN}{A}
24 Desire power to somehow put money back in treasury (9) REDEPOSIT {DESIRE Power TO*}
25 Adjust and work without tea break finally (5) TWEAK {T{Work}EA}{breaK}

DOWN
1 Strong new daiquiri cocktail for senior church official (5,10) GRAND INQUISITOR {STRONG New DAIQUIRI*}
2 Long live Grant! Back to The White City! (3,4) TEL AVIV {VIVA LET<}
3 Criticise a count over a cigar (9) PANATELLA {PAN}{A}{TELL}{A}
4 Sun, salt and beach outings, wearing English colours in USA! (5,3,7) STARS AND STRIPES {S}{TAR}{SANDS} {TRIP{E}S}

5 Actually like a dull paint finish on exterior walls, bad work! (2,1,6,2,4) AS A MATTER OF FACT {AS}{A}{MATT}{ExterioR}{OFF}{ACT}
6 At home, Scrooge's often seen in disguise (5) INCOG {IN}{sCrOoGe}
7 This Roman Hun could be Lithuanian (7) ITALIAN CA {ITALIAN+HUN*}=LITHUANIAN
8 Old man of few words, a model leader of India, working to impair Kashmir basically! (11,4) EXCLAMATION MARK {EX}{CLAM}{A}{T}{I}{ON}{MAR}{Ka....r}
14 Petty litigation for clubs? (5,4) MINOR SUIT {MINOR}{SUIT}
16 Often disposed large diamonds? 1000%! (7) TENFOLD {OFTEN*}{L}{D}
18 Bet Biden's most disoriented at the main retreat (7)  EBBTIDE {BET BIDEn*}
20 Periodically sued Trump on false charge (5) SETUP {SuEd TrUmP}

Reference List 

Quiet=Sh, Married=M, Tango=T, Wife=W, Power=P, Work=W, New=N, At home=in, Old=Ex, Model=T, India=I, Working=On, Large=L, Diamonds=D.

No 14331, Friday 15 Nov 2024, Vidwan

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS FOR FRIDAY ONLY

All those who are not regular commenters but who are rookie commenters or silent followers of the blog are requested to post answers with annotations in the comments section. In your own interest please avoid looking up the answers from the interactive version. Don't hesitate to post your annotations, in case you make a mistake in the annotation someone will correct it with the right annotation.

PLEASE NOTE, SOLUTIONS WITHOUT ATTEMPTING THE ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED

Each commenter is requested to post only 5 answers thereby giving others also a chance to participate. Please provide all your answers in one comment.

Regular solvers/Veterans can post 1 answer each, but after 11 AM only.

ACROSS

6   Counterbalance love with feminine force to fix! (6) OFFSET {O}{F}{F}{SET}

8   Growth of ordinary failed fellow with zero in essay! (8) OFFSHOOT {O}{F}{F}{SH{O}OT}

10 Judge, I rob art works about snake in the grass (10) ARBITRATOR {I+ROB+ART}* over {RAT}

11 Always go back naked (4) EVER rEVERt

12 They bid for free trading zones in the east (8) OFFERERS {FOR+FREE}*{z..eS}

15 Endless mentions about chant (6) INTONE mENTIONs*

16 India is one of these but not in scene mostly, somehow (13) SUBCONTINENTS {BUT+NOT+IN+SCENe}*S S from?

18 Fed up about one's abandon (6) DISOWN {D{1'S}OWN}

19 Old fellow starting to fish quietly on Korea borders, disappearing near the coast (8) OFFSHORE {O}{F}{Fish}{SH}{kOREa}

21 Teams rejecting outsiders for a rowing team (4) QUAD sQUADs

22 Sick about interrupting class lecture (10) ROLLICKING {RO{ILL<=}CKING}

25 Switch positions intermittently (3,3,2) OFF AND ON [DD]

26 Manage to survive English king and English cold! (3,3) EKE OUT {E}{K}{E}{OUT}

DOWN

1   A long way away, leader of PLO returned after crossing borders (4) AFAR aRAFAt<=

2   Mean like sea wolf, dropping a ton! (6) ASPIRE {AS}{PIRatE}

3   Time available for solicitor (4) TOUT {T}{OUT}

4   Bully about charging that teen regularly (8) THREATEN {TH{RE}AT}{tEeN}

5   Scrooge has drone redesigned for someone who brings in reforms (10) MODERNISER {M{DRONE*}ISER

7   Having 3 aspects - volatile ether, wheat or barley and English wine (5-8) THREE-CORNERED {ETHER*}{CORN}{E}{RED}

9   Force old dominion out along with drug bosses meddling in external affairs (7,6) FOREIGN  {F}{O}{REIGN}{OFF}{ICE} 

13 Wild ficus, tiffs and fights! (10) FISTICUFFS*

14 Occasionally asserts, almost excessively for a short fight (3-2) SET-TO {aSsErTs}{TOo}

17 Friend on a date at Washington, heading to York Street, famous for its theatres (8) BROADWAY {BRO}{A}{D}{WA}{York}

20 More sentimental than dash or hike (6) HOKIER*

23 Large area name, definition basically (4) LAND Acrostic &lit

24 Sister embracing love and goodness, for example (4) NOUN {N{O}UN}

Reference List

Feminine = F, Force = F, Ordinary = O, Failed = F, Fellow = F, Old = O, Quietly = SH, English = E, King = K, Ton = T, Time = T, About = RE, Date = D

No 14330, Thursday 14 Nov 2024, KrisKross

Solution to 1D 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   Film about sorcery - almost like "Exorsist"? (8) MISSPELT {MIS{SPELl}T} Def by Example

5   One inclined to become a leading surgeon? (6) LISTER [DD]

9   Erudite one leaves, confused about nucleus of an isotope (8) DEUTERON {ERUDiTE}*{ON} 

10 Batsman's opening in a cricket match under most favourable circumstances (2,4) AT BEST {A}{T{Ba...n}EST}

12 Great enthusiasm to gobble round pies (5-4) FIRST-RATE {FIR{TARTS<=}E}

13 A dry, mostly cold storage space (5) ATTIC {A}{TT}{ICy}

14 Ill, pricked by tip of rusty nail (4) BRAD {B{Ru..y}AD}

16 That man's wrong to steal a coarse fabric (7) HESSIAN {HES}{SI{A}N}

19 Bake the soil to make primitive tools (7) EOLITHS*

21 Farewell, great industrialist! (2-2) TA-TA {TATA}

24 Rotten case of agricultural waste (5) OFFAL {OFF}{Ag...aL}

25 Always looking for a fairytale ending? (4,5) EVER AFTER [DD]

27 Seduce footloose husband on the rebound (6) ENTRAP PARTNEr<=

28 Champion shortly drinking a liqueur with egg base (8) ADVOCAAT {ADVOCA{A}Te}

29 Name changed to drop first letter, as prompted (6) NUDGED {N}{bUDGED}

30 Churchman angry after consuming rum? Never! (8) REVEREND {RE{NEVER*}D}

DOWN

1   Resentment about party member doing field work? (3-3) M?D-?F? (Addendum - MID-OFF {MI{DO}FF} - See comments)

2   Fly in South Indian dish (6) SCURRY {S}{CURRY}

3   Essentially simple attempt to make a fold (5) PLEAT [T]

4   After bit of Lamaze, dare to exercise in tight dress (7) LEOTARD {La...e}{DARE+TO}*

6   How people may travel across Europe, ignoring capital of Italy - it is on the way (2,7) IN TRANSIT {IN TRAiNS}{IT}

7   Sensational articles mislead, for the most part (8) THEATRIC {THE}{A}{TRICk}

8   Novel without sex about to be withdrawn (8) RETICENT {RE{IT<=}CENT}

11 Network trouble, according to the drunk (4) MESH (~mess)

15 Afterwards, rebellious India had to fight back (9) RETALIATE {LATER<=}{I}{HAD}

17 Tuned one model instrument (8) MELODEON*

18 Did some farming, with no time to collect cream? Unfortunate (3-5) ILL-FATED {tILL{FAT}ED}

20 Killed a large number (4) SLEW [DD]

21 Altered loose pedal (7) TREADLE*

22 Faster bats attack from air (6) STRAFE*

23 Ground suitable for all in America (6) GRATED {G-RATED}

26 A lady's complete by herself (5) ALONE {A}{L}{ONE}

Reference List

About = ON, Nucleus = N, Dry = TT(Teetotaller), Name = N, South = S, Sex = IT, Lady = L

No 14329, Wednesday 13 Nov 2024, Incognito

Solution to 3D 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

8 Cart-horse carries god (4) THOR {T}

9 A towering Scot's arrangement without budgetary limitations (2,3,5) AT ALL COSTS {A}{TALL}{SCOT'S*}

10 Impel learner? Nonsense! (6) DRIVEL {DRIVE}{L}

11 Obtain one chance to receive an injection (3,1,4) GET A SHOT {GET}{A}{SHOT}

12 God! Free gold in passage! (8) CORRIDOR {COR}{RID}{OR}

14 Organised space in front of house for Jewish celebration (6) PESACH {SPACE*}{H}

16 Charge covering team leader in event arranged to raise funds for charity (4) FETE {FE{Team}E}

17 Chinese secret society's instruments for torture (5) TONGS [DD]

18 One meat rejected by nurse in China (4) AMAH {A}{HAM<=}

19 Flying machines Doctor No returns to Spain (6) DRONES {DR}{NO<=}{ES}

21 Emphasises, "School has locks" (8) STRESSES {S}{TRESSES}

23 Placing wood in ship, sleeps (8) SLUMBERS {S{LUMBER}S}

26 Large car part (6) BUMPER [DD]

27 Deceitful German lady head of department at youth centre gave loan (10) FRAUDULENT {FRAU}{De...t}{U}{LENT}

28 See 18

DOWN

1 Excitedly cheer at Rio for medieval driver (10) CHARIOTEER*

2 Cover extraordinary art and poetry (8) TRAVERSE {ART*}{VERSE}

3 What ladies at sea did? (6) ?A?L?D (Addendum - SAILED* Semi&lit - See comments)

4 String up husband found with a new girl (4) HANG {H}{A}{N}{G}

5 Aptly arranged with tailless puss as peculiar creature (8) PLATYPUS {APTLY*}{PUSs}

6 Brags: "Snakes in front of saint going back" (6) BOASTS {BOAS}{ST<=}

7 Mashed potatoes without peas for Prince of Bismarck (4) OTTO {pOTaTOes}*

13 Calls for some jewellery (5) RINGS {DD}

15 Tea with fruits containing energy for reptiles (10) CHAMELEONS {CHA}{MEL{E}ONS}

17 State wrongly, "Friend, the answer may be at the tip of your tongue" (5,3) TASTE BUD {STATE*}{BUD}

18 & 28A Mass production system one may see in school? (8,4) ASSEMBLY LINE [C&DD]

20 After setter leaves, minibus crashes producing luminous cloud (6) NIMBUS {MINiBUS*}

22 Discount on racket at last store (6) REBATE {RE}{BAT}{E}

24 Large ship's bird (4) LARK {L}{ARK}

25 Perhaps, legally proceed against Zulu canal (4) SUEZ {SUE}{Z}

Reference List 

Learner = L, God = COR,  House = H, Spain = ES, Husband = H, New = N, Girl = G, Saint = ST,  Tea = CHA, Energy = E, On = RE, Large = L, Zulu = Z (NATO Phonetics)

No 14328, Tuesday 12 Nov 2024, Incognito

Solution to 24A 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

8   Hint about right remedy (4) CURE {CU{R}E}

9   Ex Israeli prime minister's start (5) BEGIN [DD]

10 Trees in Wilhelmstrasse (4) ELMS [T]

11 Extraordinary avarice, in absence of energy, for fish roe (6) CAVIAR AVARICe*

12 Digs and digs long agitatedly (8) LODGINGS*

13 A bread roll containing bits of nice dates and tea, I hear, is plenty (8) ABUNDANT {A}{BU{Nice}{Da..s}{And}N}and {(~tea)T} 

15 Shout, "Underneath, lecturer is buried" (6) BELLOW {BEL{L}OW}

17 American drone flying around at beginning of day is decorated (7) ADORNED {A}{DRONE*}{Day}

19 Returning, let a word of cheer echo in Middle Eastern capital (3,4) TEL AVIV {LET<=}{VIVA<=}

22 Flashing light and mixing sorbet (6) STROBE*

24 Looking forward to girl after one in revolutionary Taiwan (8) A?A?T?N? (Addendum AWAITING -{G}<=>{1} in {TAIWAN*} 

26 Cheat court decision maker and magician (8) CONJUROR {CON}{JUROR}

28 Endless gold and some ferric substance for sportsperson (6) GOLFER {GOLd}{FERric}

30 Doddery disciple drops pile for flat circular object (4) DISC {DISCiple}*

31 Fractured spine aches (5) PINES*

32 Friends return strike (4) SLAP<=

DOWN

1   Country copper beats accused at first (4) CUBA {CU}{Be..s}{Ac...d}

2   In shell of bulldozer, install souped-up engine and starter (8) BEGINNER {Bu..{ENGINE*}..eR}

3   Student leaves African country for European peninsula (6) IBERIA lIBERIA

4   Nimbleness of soldier seen in devastated Italy (7) AGILITY {A{GI}LITY*}

5   Folding lie-in bed cannot be eaten (8) INEDIBLE*

6   Call once more on telephone if lost in airfield modification (6) REDIAL AiRfILED*

7   Mugs can be complacent (4) SMUG*

14 President gives up new model toilet fitting (5) BIDET {BIDEn}{T}

16 Perhaps, bulb is on and has electrically charged particle (5) ONION {ON}{ION}

18 Before operations, ophthalmologist gives liquid medicaments (3-5) EYE-DROPS {OPS}<=>{EYE DR} Semi&lit

20 Where one may learn to draw girl going after moving cart (3,5) ART CLASS {LASS}<=>{CART*}

21 Virginia gets donation for tramp (7) VAGRANT {VA}{GRANT}

23 Article's aim (6) OBJECT [DD]

25 Come September can be played at the end of this month (6) AUGUST [CD]

27 God found during good introspection (4) ODIN [T]

29 Test old flame before noon (4) EXAM {EX}{AM}

Reference List

Right = R, Energy = E, Lecturer = L, Girl = G, Student = L, Soldier = GI, Model = T, Old flame = EX

No 14327, Monday 11 Nov 2024, Incognito

Solution to 5D 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

7   Sad emission of breath as a result of short sight (4) SIGH SIGHt

8   Laying egg in space between plate and bird's home is deceitful (9) DISHONEST {DISH}{O}{NEST}

10 Interfere in middle? Not I, 'e... (6) MEDDLE M(i+e)EDDLE

11 Concerns producing bread breaking beakers around 1 (8) BAKERIES {BAKER{1}ES*}

12 Hoodlum rags gent excitedly (8) GANGSTER*

14 Rudder controller's cash box is with queen (6) TILLER {TILL}{ER}

16 Merit German service in absence of in-charge (7) DESERVE {DE}{SERVicE}

18 Deb goes touring around capital's army unit (7) BRIGADE {B{RIGA}DE*}

21 First batsman's ball-pen is with European king (6) OPENER {O}{PEN}{E}{R}

23 Hot women dance in native place (4,4) HOME TOWN*

25 Ready to do anything but not going beyond zero (8,2,7) STOPPING AT NOTHING [C&DD]

27 Thin... Two thirds ton shed, perhaps (4-2) LEAN-TO {LEAN}{TOn}

29 See 25

30 Spoils a planet (4) MARS [DD]

DOWN

1  Composing letter with AI capable of reading and writing (8) LITERATE*

2   China, at present, is a country (4) CHAD {CH}{AD}

3   Coming from a third ride on the Tube (6) ADVENT {A}{riDe}{VENT}

4   International Organisation for Standardization prohibits some lines on maps (7) ISOBARS {ISO}{BARS}

5   Popular performer from Rolling Stones? (4,4) ?O?K ?T?R ()

6   Shakespeare's fruit (4) PEAR [T]

9   Topic from the Middle East, for starters (5) THEME {THE}{Mi...e}{East}

13 Go ahead for environment friendly illumination (5,5) GREEN LIGHT {GREEN}{LIGHT}

15 See 13

17 Decisions that may contain sentences (8) VERDICTS [CD]

19 Dip feather and go (8) DOWNTURN {DOWN}{TURN}

20 Wrongly charging after girl leaves results in exasperation (7) CHAGRIN CHARGINg*

22 Bread? That's mine, thanks (5) PITTA {PIT}{TA}

24 Slander country having good name (6) MALIGN {MALI}{G}{N}

26 Long tree (4) PINE [DD]

28 Batman's large heart and soul (4) ATMA bATMAn Why large?

Reference List

Queen = ER, European = E, King = R, China = CH, At present = AD, Girl = G, Thanks = TA, Good = G, Name = N

The Sunday Crossword No 3331, Sunday 10 Nov 2024

ACROSS

1   Jazz genre’s providing hits (4) BOPS {BOP'S}

3   In France, thousands mobbing idiot in city on the Med (10) MARSEILLES {M{ARSE}ILLES}

9   Woodwind member regularly going for broke (4) OBOE {fOr+BrOkE}

10 Bring together, in the morning, bits of seaweed, pal (10) AMALGAMATE {AM}{ALGA}{MATE}

11 Omit one of the Soup Dragon’s friends: goof! (4,1,7) DROP A CLANGER {DROP}{A CLANGER}

15 Kill 27? With tongs – that’s cold (3,4) ICE CUBE {ICE}{CUBE} {27=3 Cubed}

16 Dined and jeered (7) SCOFFED [DD]

17 Extremely vicious, insidious look expressing your enmity, primarily? (4,3) EVIL EYE Acrostic &lit

19 Some yeti dies, tragically, being extremely trim (7) TIDIEST [T]

20 Ghastly Double German? (12) DOPPELGANGER [C&DD]

23 Drunk romances eminent lawyers (4,6) HIGH COURTS {HIGH}{COURTS}

24 Star in river’s reflection (4) NOVA<=

25 Indeed, strayed wildly in times gone by (10) YESTERDAYS {YES}{STRAYED*}

26 Demands chores when temperature’s dropped (4) ASKS tASKS

DOWN

1   Attacks putting Belgium on edge, son (10) BROADSIDES {B}{ROADSIDE}{S}

2   Camera-loving, goofy pooch: get in! (10) PHOTOGENIC*

4   Having lost front of tome, fussily laminate one on bookshelves (1,1,5) A A MILNE LAMINAtE*

5   Medical supports after run’s undergone change of direction (7) SPLINTS SP(-r+l)LINTS

6   Ivanhoe, novel: almost perfect? Beats me! (1,4,2,4) I HAVE NO IDEA {IVANHOE}*{IDEAl}

7   In report, vegetable that’s prepared by whistleblower (4) LEAK (~leek)

8   Second time Everyman’s shown up: stop! (4) STEM {S}{T}{ME<=}

12 An inspiration? Bold old university radical getting dainty snack (5-6) AMUSE-BOUCHE {A}{MUSE}{B}{O}{U}{CHE}

13 Puddings, good and bad consumed: nice feelings later (10) AFTERGLOWS {AFTER{G}{LOW}S}

14 Misguided idealist embracing ‘alternative’ leaders (10) EDITORIALS {EDIT{OR}IALS*}

18 Lengthily describe one-time currency (7) EXPOUND {EX}{POUND}

19 Novelist to clasp – but regularly dropping – chihuahua? (7) TOLSTOY  {TO}{cLaSp}{TOY}

21 Dairy product with drug additive: for what reason? (4) WHEY {WH{E}Y}

22 Herb cycling for a long time (4) AGES (-s)AGE(+s)S

Reference List

Temperature = T, Belgium = B, Son = S, Second = S, Time = T, Bold = B, Old = O, University = U, Radical = CHE, Good = G, Drug = E

No 14326, Saturday 09 Nov 2024, Incognito

ACROSS

8   Capital from eastern part of Georgia arranged (4) RIGA geoRGIA*

9   Brave cougar is walking around America carrying sweetheart with love (10) COURAGEOUS {COUGAR*}(US) over {swEet}{O}

10 For starters extraordinary lumbar vertebra appears in small picture of the hip (6) PELVIC {P{Ex...y}{Lu...r}{Ve...a}IC}

11/23 After glance, fit defectors rounded up senior government employees (8,8) GAZETTED OFFICERS {GAZE}{FIT+DEFECTORS}*

12 NCO's servant releases head of valets for gobbling eggs at first (8) SERGEANTS SER(-v+g+e)GENTS

14 Lathi with embedded electronic component for law enforcement force (6) POLICE {POL{IC}E}

16 Study Voltaire giving up vote (4) LAIR voLtAIRe

17 After end of road, precipitation is in sewer (5) DRAIN {roaD}{RAIN}

18 Long tree (4) PINE [DD]

19 Inferior descendant slaughtered one pig (6) EPIGON*

21 Toast cop distributing pieces of outer wear (8) TOPCOATS*

23 See 11

26 Hat obtained from livery stable under renovation after removal of leaves (6) TRILBY {lIveRY+sTaBLe}

27 After Monday, 10 middlemen leave, kidnapping Romeo in Balkan country (10) MONTENEGRO {MON}{TEN}{mEn}{G{R}O}

28 Chinese gets two consecutive letters for cook (4) CHEF {CH}{E}{F}

DOWN

1   Military Policeman followed an excited caddie bearing note for senior officer's assistant (4-2-4) AIDE-DE-CAMP {MP}<=>{CADDIE}* over {E}

2   Redeemer carrying silver in tray (8) SALVAGER {SALV{AG}ER}

3   Tree always cut along central imaginary axis, for starters (6) ACACIA Acrostic

4   Throw plug (4) BUNG [DD]

5   Mother managed carrying an American code for "Sweetened almond meal" (8) MARZIPAN {MA}{R{ZIP}{AN}

6   Pulse observed in prevalent illness (6) LENTIL [T]

7   Certain enjoyment, in absence of appeal (4) SURE pleaSURE

13 Raise a drink for honouring a person, "To a saint!" (5) TOAST {TO}{A}{ST}

15 Some policemen cheat head of staff at crooked stable (10) CONSTABLES {CON}{St..f}{STABLE*}

17 European don's gun brandished in underground prison cells (8) DUNGEONS {E+DONS+GUN}*

18 Royal son goes around old Viscount's region (8) PROVINCE {PR{O}{V}INCE}

20 Responsible person capturing one military officer (6) GUILTY {GU{1}{LT}Y}

22 Don's counterparts drop Carter during reshuffle (4,2) PUTS ON cOUNTerPartS*

24 Base is 12 inches (4) FOOT [DD]

25 Ship carrying silver sinks (4) SAGS {S{AG}S}

Reference List

Romeo = R, Chinese = CH, Note = E, Saint = ST, European = E, Old = O, Viscount = V, Military officer = LT(Lieutanant)