No 14339, Monday 25 Nov 2024, Dr. X

Solution to 16D 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   Small amount of money keeps individual tense in period of inactivity (8) DOWNTIME {D{OWN}{T}IME}

5   Yearned to embrace associate getting upset (6) PAINED {P{A}INED}

10/14 Influential acquaintances who live on the mountains? (7,2,4,6) FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES [DD]

11 Secured new contracts (7) REDUCES*

12 Native New Zealander in trek around island (5) MAORI {ROAM<=}{I}

13 Bringing back cover charge pinches - customers essentially disappear (9) EVAPORATE {PAVE<=}{c..tOm..s}{RATE}

14 See 10

18 Broadcast a bulletin about rebellious fellow virtually (2,3,3,4) IN ALL BUT NAME {A+BULLETIN}* over {MAN<=}

21 Surprises criminal ring in capital (9) CONFOUNDS {CON}{F{O}UNDS}

23 Analysed value of eye layer (5) UVEAL*

24 Inattentive without lithium - that's undeniable (7) OBVIOUS OBliVIOUS

25 Fantastic gal, nice and virtuous (7) ANGELIC*

26 Conscript and oriental lady involved in immorality around Thailand (6) ENLIST {E}{SI{L}N<=}{T}

27 Be weakened by fighting in the war (4,4) WEAR THIN*

DOWN

1   Run down - fine morning to enter river (6) DEFAME {DE{F}{AM}E}

2   Attend to captain of Windies getting excellent century (4,2) WAIT ON {Wi...s}{A1}{TON}

3   Due to strain, model is alone, intoxicated around noon (9) TENSIONAL {T}{IS+ALONE}* over {N}

4   Disorder of system with neurosis resulting in incomprehensibility (14) MYSTERIOUSNESS {SYSTEM+NEUROSIS}*

6   Sound in German car, ordinary (5) AUDIO {AUDI}{O}

7   Hong Kong actor involved in revolting electronic fraud? Impossible! (2,6) NO CHANCE {CHAN} in {E}{CON}<=

8   Distribute and throw seeds in park (8) DISPENSE {SEEDS+IN+P}*

9   Opportunity to relax, swilling beer as nightcap (9,5) BREATHING SPACE*

15 Son consumed lean meat patty and cheese (9) LIMBURGER {sLIM}{BURGER}

16 Show by lady in nightclub, extremely seductive (8) ?I?C?O?E ()

17 Four erotic films in festival (8) CARNIVAL {IV} in {CARNAL}

19 Condition of student overwhelmed by fever and bit of headache (6) HEALTH {HEA{L}T}{He...e}

20 Fine deception to pinch the French scent bottle (6) FLACON {F}{LA}{CON}

22 Musical instruments with round holes need bit of repair (5) OBOES {O}{BOrES}

Reference List

Tense = T, Associate = A, Island = I, Lithium = LI, Oriental = E, Lady = L, Fine = F, Model = T, Noon = N, Ordinary = O, Electronic = E, Park = P, Son = S, Student = L, The in French = LA