No 14420, Friday 28 Feb 2025, Hypatia

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.

Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS

8   Notice American eating Australian fruit (6) SAPOTA {SPOT}{A} over {A}

9   Verified Google maps, for one and drove around (8) APPROVED {APP}{DROVE*}

10 Big picture of cover guy, per Spooner (6,4) MASTER PLAN (~plaster man to master plan)

11 Dull poet's retrospective (4) DRAB<=

12 Artisan touring English Church in a frenzy (8) MECHANIC {M{E}{CH}ANIC}

14 Light coal without lead (6) IGNITE lIGNITE

15 Monsters almost gobble and injure son (7) GORGONS {GORGe}{SON*}

17 Flexibility of girl replacing bachelor in faculty (7) AGILITY A(+g-b)GILITY

20 Parades potentially showcasing tyrant (6) DESPOT [T]

22 Optimistic article boring mad genius (8) SANGUINE {S{AN}GUINE*}

24 Basically happy or lively Indian celebration! (4) HOLI Acrostic Semi&lit

25 Initially Rio cycles to join friend after drink (10) ORIGINALLY {(+o)ORI(-o)} with {ALLY}<=>{GIN}

27 Regularly learned Watkins was revolting in some way (2,2,4) AS IT WERE {lEaRnEd+WaTkInS+wAs}<=

28 Doctor had given genetic material in agitation (6) DHARNA {HAD*}{RNA}

DOWN

1   Aha! Ban erotica to suppress hot stuff (8) HABANERO [T]

2   Keep supporting Tesla (4) FORT {FOR}{T}

3   Alert engineers blocking complex network (6) WARREN {WAR{RE}N}

4   Store installing awfully old security device (7) PADLOCK {PA{OLD*}CK}

5   Broadcasting about president's expense (8) SPENDING {S{P}ENDING}

6   Master Chef's coloured bourbon - extremely fancy (6,4) CORDON BLEU {COLOURED+Bo...oN}*

7   Department renewing this academic's term (6) PEDANT {PEDANT+TERM}*=DEPARTMENT [CA]

13 Stop in best parts (4,6) HIGH POINTS {STOP+IN}* [RA] 

16 N/n: Get 1 or n - it's complicated (8) NITROGEN* 

18 Knotting a piece of twine before fishing (8) TANGLING {Tw..e}{ANGLING}

19 Dreams of snakes controlling anger (7) ASPIRES {ASP{IRE}S}

21 Say nothing at first to narcissist (6) EGOIST {EG}{O}{1ST}

23 Early signs of numerous aquatic insects acquiring wings of dragonflies! (6) NAIADS {Nu...s}{Aq...c}{In...s}{Ac...g}{Dr...eS} Semi&lit

26 Unfortunately like to entertain the French (4) ALAS {A{LA}S}

Reference List

American = A, Australian = A, English = E, Church = CH, Girl = G, Bachelor = B, Tesla = T, Engineers = RE(Royal Engineers), President = P, The in French = LA

No 14419, Thursday 27 Feb 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 17D 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Analysed patient finally - allergic to peanuts (8) PITTANCE {PATIENT+a...iC}*

5   Brown bag contains Asian money (6) SATANG {SA{TAN}G} 

10 Try dance moves to maintain figure (7) DECAGON {DECA{GO}N*}

11 Disregard info about the French model consuming cocaine (7) NEGLECT {GEN<=}{LE}{C}{T}

12 Most love new ornament (5) ADORN {ADORe}{N}

13 Fruit in a tin, green bananas (9) TANGERINE*

14 Matter of girl involved in immorality with one's betrothed outside club (12) SIGNIFICANCE {SI{G}N}{I}{FI{C}ANCE}

18 What assassin will do to earn a large profit (4,1,7) MAKE A KILLING [DD]

21 Punishes boys trapping cat in compound (9) SANCTIONS {S{CAT+IN}*ONS}

23 Entomb Italy's foremost sister after welcoming Rector (5) INURN {It..y}{NU{R}N}

24 Pomade from Rio used in shower (4,3) HAIR OIL {HAI{RIO*}L}

25 Bull beginning to amble behind compound (7) OXALATE {OX}{Am..e}{LATE}

26 Came back with good, large electronic switch (6) TOGGLE {GOT<=}{G}{L}{E}

27 Troublemaker, say, carrying case of pills with Ecstasy (8) UPSETTER {U{PillS}{E}TTER}

DOWN

1   Vendor unwrapped large boxes (6) PEDLAR [T]

2   Extremely tricky criminal squeezing old industrialist (6) TYCOON {Tr..kY}{CO{O}N}

3   Criminal at Iran smuggling dope to South American country (9) ARGENTINA {AT+IRAN}* over {GEN}

4   Fixed broken pole in ancient city (14) CONSTANTINOPLE {CONSTANT}{POLE+IN}*

6   Crook's scheme to get rid of wife (5) ANGLE wANGLE

7   Distressed painter taking drug, one relieving constipation (8) APERIENT {PAINTER}* over {E}

8   Picked up gun and drove to arrest rogue finally (8) GATHERED {GAT}{HER{r..uED}

9   Lone wolf! Ponies go berserk all at once (2,3,4,5) IN ONE FELL SWOOP*

15 Is princess able to go out with suitor? (9) CANDIDATE {CAN}{DI}{DATE}

16 Principle of homotopy in applied maths is a huge, widespread success (5,3) SMASH HIT {Ho...y} in {MATHS+IS}*

17 Heartily sloshed star outside bar is stripping (8) ?K?N?I?G (Addendum - SKINNING {sloShed}{K{INN}ING} - See comments)

19 Hold-up after United Kingdom backed Middle Eastern country (6) KUWAIT {WAIT}<=>{UK<=}

20 Charm of European getting close to cuddle date (6) ENDEAR {E}{N{D}EAR}

22 Nordic monster beginning to throw rock (5) TROLL {Th..w}{ROLL}

Reference List

Info = GEN, The in French = LE, Model = T, Cocaine = C, New = N, Girl = G, Club = C, Rector = R, Good = G, Large = L, Electronic = E, Ecstasy = E, Old = O, Dope = GEN, Wife = W, Drug = E, Gun = GAT, Princess = DI, European = E, Date = D

No 14418, Wednesday 26 Feb 2025, Dr. X

Rangoli by Gowri

Artwork by Prasanna

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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   One found in bathroom cuddling scoundrel in the raw so naughtily (6,7) SHOWER CURTAIN {CUR} in {IN+THE+RAW+SO}*

8   Slight delay? Time is money (5) SMALL S(-t+m)MALL

9   Book's remarkable thus far, outlining many skills for surviving in the wilderness (9) BUSHCRAFT {B}{THUS+FAR}* over {C}

11 Mock trial organised to tackle doubt about spies (10) ARTIFICIAL TRIAL* over {IF <= + CIA}

12 Member of a Native American people in dance institute (4) HOPI {HOP}{I}

14 Showed most outstanding butt (7) B?S?O?E ()

16 Hampered by rascal's vile deed (7) IMPEDED {IMP}{DEED*}

17 The French criminal stealing millions is brilliant (7) LAMBENT {LA}{M}{BENT}

19 Trash container in French station (7) GARBAGE {GAR{BAG}E}

21 Stormy weather to begin with - cancelled motor race in US (4) INDY wINDY

22 Bias of reporters taking bribe, backing faction endlessly (10) PREPOSSESS {PRE{SOP<=}{SEt}SS}

25 Spooner observed magnificent type of sedimentary rock (9) GREENSAND (~seen grand to greensand)

26 Encourage one struggling to control horse (3,2) EGG ON {E{GG}ON*}

27 Powerful person in the background is cool during treatment of emergencies (8,5) EMINENCE GRISE {IN} in {EMERGENCIES}* Had to cheat on this one. New word for me 

DOWN

2   Loves to cuddle husband in cosy places by the fire (7) HEARTHS {HEART{H}S}

3   Shy person left crushed by error, turning more depressed (10) WALLFLOWER {FL{L}AW<=}{LOWER}

4   Spilled beer on top of costly medieval instrument (5) REBEC {BEER}*{Co...y}

5   Removing unreliable agent in US (9) UNSEATING*

6   Senorita cooking some Mexican dish (4) TACO [T]

7   Where letters are found, briefly (2,1,4) IN A WORD [C&DD]

8   Brilliant acting! Small girl secures top position in ad for show (4,7) STAR BILLING {S}{BRILLIANT*}{G}

10 He perhaps sent horrid criminal to abduct prince (5,6) THIRD PERSON {SENT+HORRID}* over {P}

13 Place to catch glimpse of ravishing woman in brown athletic clothes (10) SPORTSWEAR {SPO{Ra...g}T}{S{W}EAR}

15 Put down container over top of armoire, please (9) ENTERTAIN {ENTER}{T{Ar...e}IN}

18 Trimmed junk in period of pregnancy (7) MIDTERM* 

20 Retaliates with nerve gas, cruelly killing king (7) AVENGES {NErVE+GAS}*

23 Father and daughter in dock (5) PADRE {PA{D}RE}

24 Privy to star wanting cocaine for nerves at premiere (2,2) IN ON I(-c+n)NON

Reference List

Time = T, Money = M, Book = B, Many = C, Institute = I, Millions = M, Horse = GG, Cool = IN, Husband = H, Left = L, Small = S, Girl = G, Prince = P, Woman = W, King = R, Daughter = D, Cocaine = C

No 14417, Tuesday 25 Feb 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 26A 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Check a boy worried about a pain in the spine (8) BACKACHE {CHECK+A+B}* over {A}

5   Starts to catch obnoxious bugs with expertly built snare (6) COBWEB Acrostic 

10 Hit leader of gang smuggling pot in Thai city (7) LAMPANG {LAM}{PAN}{Gang}

11 Start to opine on budget speech (7) ORATION {Op..e}{RATION}

12 Sturdy men easily capture rebellious adversary (5) ENEMY [T<=]

13 Intimacy in passionate scenes featuring star making a comeback (9) CLOSENESS {C{SOL<=}ENESS*}

14 According to consumer, meat's terrible (12) COMMENSURATE*

18 Woman taken in by wiliest male made a bloomer (5,7) SWEET WILLIAM {W} in {WILIEST+MALE}*

21 Helps with aches in leg (7,2) PITCHES IN {P{ITCHES}IN} 

23 Bank fraud (5) BLUFF [DD]

24 Use up new antidote, saving five hundred (3,4) EAT INTO ANTIdOTE*

25 Gossip's story about couple of models getting close to star (7) TATTLER {TA{TT}LE}{staR}

26 Trap vile husband seen cuddling maiden (6) E?M?S? (Addendum - ENMESH {H+SEEN}* over {M} - See comments)

27 Row after troublesome person loses head resulting in divorce (8) ESTRANGE {RANGE}<=>{pEST}

DOWN

1   Spirited song of lieutenant enthralled by drink (6) BELTER {BE{LT}ER}

2   Advance to seize power with large force (6) COMPEL {COM{P}E}{L}

3   Regardless of consequences, sack nasty actor right away (2,3,4) AT ANY COST {NASTY+ACTOr}*

4   What greedy broker wants in embassy (4,10) HIGH COMMISSION [DD]

6   Egg-shaped container in old base (5) OVATE {O}{VAT}{E}

7   Wave with foamy crest is wide, struck with rising velocity (8) WHITECAP {W}{HIT}{PACE<=}

8   Expelled Hungary's captain after a revolting offence in ground (8) BANISHED {Hu...y}<=>{A}{SIN<=} in {BED}

9   Ordered gang on the sly to do whatever is necessary (2,2,3,7) GO TO ANY LENGTHS*

15 Learn about revolutionary liberating eastern capital (4,5) ULAN BATOR {LeARN+ABOUT}*

16 Opener is injured in compound (8) ISOPRENE*

17 Join up to entertain kid with a little unusual spinning top (8) TEETOTUM {MEET<=} over {TOT}{Un...l}

19 Endlessly thinking about lady in fine cotton fabric (6) MUSLIN {MUS{L}INg}

20 Aircraft pilot's concern in ascending, for certain (1-5) G-FORCE [T] Semi&lit

22 Open incomplete files (5) HONES HONESt

Reference List

Boy = B, Woman = W, Five hundred = D, Husband = H, Maiden = M, Model = T, Power = P, Large = L, Old = O, Base = E, Wide = W, Eastern = E, Lady = L

No 14416, Monday 24 Feb 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 1A 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Topless show after drinking liquor in plot (8) E?G?N?E? (Addendum - ENGINEER {vENEER} over {GIN} - See comments)

5   Groom, tense around beginning of amorous encounter (6) COMBAT {COMB}{T} over {Am...s}

10 Upset as money used is fake (7) ASSUMED {AS+M+USED}*

11 Consumed starter of eggplant and peanut salad (5,2) EATEN UP {Eg...t}{PEANUT}*

12 Tangle with England's captain after tense victory (5) TWINE {En...d}<=>{T}{WIN}

13 Adopts country ways, change is surreal (9) RURALISES*

14 Remain calm, avoid curling tongs perhaps (3,4,1,4) NOT TURN A HAIR [DD]

18 Neat pointers to transform show (12) PRESENTATION*

21 Enjoyable party in excellent Japanese city (9) FUNABASHI {FUN}{A{BASH}1}

23 Plunge into water to perform exploit (5) DOUSE {DO}{USE}

24 Iran's foremost politician on English broadcast about supreme powers (7) IMPERIA {Iran}{MP}{E}{AIR<=}

25 Fancy pinkish tie (7) KINSHIP*

26 Tell class about the French revolution (6) RELATE {R{LE<=}ATE}

27 Popular cryptic setter's charm (8) INTEREST {IN}{SETTER*}

DOWN

1   Plays with different stance (6) ENACTS*

2   Bit of soda in energy drink giving gas (6) GOSSIP {Soda} in {GO}{SIP}

3   Stunned and shaken, opener wants bit of protection first (6,3) NUMBER ONE {NUMB}{OpENER*}

4   Experienced politician ends stalemate, artfully crushing resistance (5,9) ELDER STATESMAN {ENDS+STALEMATE}* over {R}

6   Some turned exceptional at converting base-8 number system (5) OCTAL [T<=]

7   Second male wearing coloured kerchief mostly is member of musical group (8) BANDSMAN {BAND{S}{M}ANa}

8   Secure sample to check special ornamental textile (8) TAPESTRY {TAPE}{TRY} over {S}

9   Scared witless by blunders, cheat in final round (6-8) TERROR-STRICKEN {ERRORS}{TRICK} in {NET<=}

15 Escape slyly via canoe after crossing delta (9) AVOIDANCE {VIA+CANOE}* over {D}

16 Prince, more unsettled after citizens finally become smarter (8) SPIFFIER {P}{IFFIER}<=>{c...nS}

17 Seabird over border around city of Ukraine (8) TERNOPIL {TERN}{O}{LIP<=}

19 Cheer up after receiving flush essentially in card game (6) EUCHRE {CHEER}* over {flUsh}

20 Tyrant in extremely desperate situation (6) DESPOT {De...tE}{SPOT}

22 Container in basement, gutted and charred (5) BURNT {Ba..{URN}..nT}

Reference List

Tense = T, Money = M, English = E, The in French = LE, Resistance = R, Second = S, Male = M, Special = S, Delta = D, Prince = P, Over = O

Special, Sunday 23 Feb 2025, Ghaza

Three answers per commenter till 1 PM (Annotations compulsory) 

Please submit all your answers in one comment.  

(COMMENTS ENTERED WITH LESS THAN THREE ANSWERS/ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)

Enjoy.

The Sunday Crossword No 3346, Sunday 23 Feb 2025

ACROSS

1   Pirate flag given outing, OK (5,5) JOLLY ROGER {JOLLY}{ROGER}

6   A second extra note, they’re stored on smartphones (4) APPS {A}{PPS}

9   Complicated – indirectly, ramblingly complicated – ultimately, irritatingly tortuously orotund – undervaluing simplicity, primarily? (10) CIRCUITOUS Acrostic &lit

10 Multitude audible (as you hear it) (4) HERD (~heard)

11 Romantic film’s wild red-hot bad guy (3,9) THE BODYGUARD*

15 What charmer tries to do, getting our name wrong (7) ENAMOUR*

16 Who might roister in unruly fashion? (7) RIOTERS* &lit

17 Environment’s a bit freakish, a bit atypical (7) HABITAT [T]

19 Clique’s time in company by Great Lake (7) COTERIE {T} in {CO}{ERIE}

20 Coppers in bed after initially struggling to put down measure of ale (8.4) SCOTLAND YARD {COT}<=>{St...g} with {LAND}{YARD}

23 Jaunty air in dainty tune’s intro (4) LILT {LIL}{Tune}

24 They say bank’s welcoming – carried! (10) REPORTEDLY {RE{PORTED}LY}

25 Husband appearing with fiddle regularly: run away! (4) HIDE {H}{fIdDlE}

26 Meeting that’s always pear-shaped (10) CONFERENCE [DD]

DOWN

1   Sailor, one that can lift a car (4) JACK [DD]

2   Fling songbird (4) LARK [DD]

3   Lousy, the hot ramshackle kids’ accommodation (5,6) YOUTH HOSTEL*

4   What’s bottled here? Medoc, to be relished for 31 days (7) OCTOBER [T]

5   Right on cue, silly song and dance somewhere in S America (7) ECUADOR {R}<=>{CUE*}{ADO}

7   After baked good and fruit, slip up in town house (4-1-5) PIED-A-TERRE {PIE}{DATE}{ERR<=}

8   Team spoils supplementary food (4,6) SIDE DISHES {SIDE}{DISHES}

12 Uncredited author becomes more banal when read aloud (5-6) GHOST-WRITER (~ goes triter)

13 Large amount of champagne: Everyman having improved health inspires us! (10) METHUSELAH {ME}{HEALTH*} over {US}

14 American welcomed by British quaffed, taking drop of lager in a daze (10) BAMBOOZLED {B}{AM}{BOOZ{La..r}ED}

18 Spanish cheer rising, supporting pungency in hybrid fruit (7) TANGELO {OLE<=}<=>{TANG}

19 Panic-monger seeing crow fly off (3,4) CRY WOLF*

21 God exploding? Not entirely (4) ODIN [T]

22 You’re attracted to this, what data entry employee does (4) TYPE [DD]

Reference List

Time = T, Company = CO, Husband = H, Right = R, British = B

No 14415, Saturday 22 Feb 2025, Afterdark

 ACROSS
7 Redo meshwork covering vaults (5) DOMES [T]

8 Officer's lady being heartless as usual (9) GENERALLY {GENERAL}{LadY}
10 Colas served around one gathering (6) SOCIAL {COLAS* around I}
11 Number mentioned by their disheartened youngster, perhaps (8) THIRTEEN {THeIR}{TEEN}
12 Royal daughter's frequent picnic features in media (8) PRINCESS {PR{pIcNiC}ESS}
13 Clash leads to sanctions on government (4) BANG {BAN}{G}
15 Holds bad clues over two days (7) CUDDLES {CLUES* over {DD}
17 Taking first week off and relaxing (7) RESTING {wRESTING}
20 Attracting attention by making a point across southern society (4) PSST {P{S}{S}T}
22 Unsociable/ but /engaged? (8) RESERVED [DD]
25 Thomas's pain initially to be relieved next day (8) TOMORROW {TOM}{sORROW}
26 Is taking month-time to deliver thoughts (6) IMAGES {I{M}{AGE}S}
27 Banter about good unknown ornaments (9) JEWELLERY {JE{WELL}ER}{Y}

28 Charges /for /clothing accessories (5) BELTS [DD]

DOWN
1 Bright and cool fur collected by indulger essentially (9) COLOURFUL {COOLFUR*}{indULger}
2 Quit and joined again? (8) RESIGNED {RE-SIGNED}
3 Doctor's depression is leading to talks (7) DENTIST {DENT}{IS}{Talks}
4 Likely to back soldiers or sure? (8) RELIABLE {LIABLE}<=>{RE}
5 Painting found in cheat's box (6) CARTON {C{ART}ON}
6 Navy/ is /fast (5) FLEET [DD]

9 Indication that culture is not even (4) CLUE {CuLtUrE}
14 Gains attention at school (9) INTERESTS {INTEREST}{S}
16 Bank backs ten new individuals completely (8) ENTIRELY {RELY}<=>{TEN*}{I}
18 Most of the royals had cow (8) THREATEN {THe}{R}{EATEN}
19 Artists'/ pants (7) DRAWERS [DD]
21 Kept sorted, arranged (6) STORED*
23 Earth has succeeded finding fuel (4) SOIL {S}{OIL}
24 Scratching the head, repents getting suits (5) TONES {aTONES}

REFERENCE LIST

One=I, Government=G, Day=D, Point=PT, Southern, Society, School, Succeeded=S, Month=M, Unknown=Y, Soldiers= RE, Royals=R.   

No 14414, Friday 21 Feb 2025, Afterdark

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.

Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS

1   Can't gain if Stokes is out? Tempting (11) FASCINATING {CANT+GAIN+IF+S}*

9   Admit that debate ended early at school society (7) CONFESS {CONFEr}{S}{S}

10 Say, help comes in different form for one that's pretty (7) SHAPELY*

11 Question the model (5) POSER [DD]

12 Dissect a particle with chisels in the middle (9) ANATOMISE {AN}{ATOM}{chISEls}

13 Bean obtained from Mexico coast (5) COCOA [T]

15 Exit terms discord with hardliner (9) EXTREMIST*

18 Theatre assistant is a good person, at times takes responsibility (9) STAGEHAND {ST}{AGE}{HAND}

21 Lamb's sweep yields a wicket, taken by Hasaranga at first (5) SHEEP S(-w+h)HEEP

22 Heartless Poles (2 of them) taking centre of house (9) BARBAROUS {BAR}{BAR}{hOUSe}

24 A sect? Could be confused with another (5) CASTE* Semi&lit

26 Fact is assets drown one (7) REALITY {REAL{1}TY}

27 Our names almost got mixed up in appeal (7) ENAMOUR {OUR+NAMEs}*

28 Safety feature in new jet's core corrodes mostly (7,4) EJECTOR SEAT  {JETS+CORE}*{EATs}

DOWN

1   Deal with companies' cosmetic treatments (4,5) FACE PACKS {FACE}{PACKS}

2   Broadcasts result in ship (5) SENDS {S{END}S}

3   Drunk  in Britain by mistake, took drugs and slept essentially (9) INEBRIATE {BRITIAN}* over  {E} then {slEpt}

4   As usage is compromised, it becomes moderate (7) ASSUAGE*

5   Darwin's tantrum controlled in a second (7) INSTANT [T]

6   Coming up on Aug; a fertilizer (5) GUANO [T<=]

7   Killing a king is dicier, somehow should overcome elite guards at first (8) REGICIDE {R{El..e}{Gu...s}ICIDE*}

8   As per sources, Bombay youth tear excerpt into eight bits (4) BYTE Acrostic

14 Convener Charlie's lock taken by attendant (8) CHAIRMAN {C}{HAIR}{MAN}

16 Relaxed having tea and some raisin cake on a piece of furniture (4,5) EASY CHAIR {EASY}{CHAI}{Ra...n} What's the role of Cake?

17 Classified information on violent protest besieging Election Commission (3-6) TOP-SECRET {PROTEST}* over {EC}

19 Pain-reliever gets an approval ultimately by new lead examiner (7) ANODYNE {A}{NOD}{bY}{N}{Ex...r}

20 Investigate princess's school (7) DISSECT {DIS}{SECT}

22 Hide in bay (4) BARK [DD]

23 Animated boxer rivets essentially (5) ALIVE {ALI}{riVEts}

25 Grounds for grievance (5) SCORE [DD]

Reference List

Stokes = S, School = S, Society = S, Good person = ST, Wicket = W, Ship = SS, Charlie = C, New = N, Princess = DI

No 14413, Thursday 20 Feb 2025, Afterdark

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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   New stem and almost a part of a flower (6) STAMEN {STEM+ANd}*

4   Firm getting a shelter for animals (6) STABLE [DD]

9   High uncles laugh at beginner's dance (4) HULA Acrostic

10 Morons got a bit rowdy, broke vault (10) STRONGROOM {MORONS+GOT+Ro..y}*

11 Say, Williams finishing off fifth contender untroubled (6) SERENE {SERENa}{c..tEn..r}

12 Daughter with ease, as we hear collected money with people for a leather garment (8) DEERSKIN {D}{(~ease)EE}{RS}{KIN}

13 Courier in trouble, keen to leave a note in place (9) MESSENGER {MESS}{E(-a+n)NGER}

15 Butchery by ex-VP (4) GORE [DD]

16 New small tea stall (4) SEAT {S+TEA}*

17 Say, safety drill conducted by top two cricketers (Ash) at match (5-4) CRASH-TEST {CRi...s}{ASH}{TEST}

21 Squash club collects fee (8) MACERATE {MACE}{RATE}

22 Lost a small plate (6) ASTRAY {A}{S}{TRAY}

24 Deputy's corruption on company lease (10) VICEGERENT {VICE}{GE}{RENT} New word for me

25 Flower offered for God (4) IRIS [DD]

26 Identity card? ID card lost by individual (6) ENTITY idENTITY card

27 Magnificent rehearsal showcases focus (6) CENTRE [T]

DOWN

1   Sleep in small shed, I am told (4-3) SHUT-EYE {S}{HUT}{(~i)EYE}

2   A positive tennis serve, fast (5) APACE {A}{P}{ACE}

3   As per report, agitation at CERN, head dismissed by direction (7) E?S?E?N (Addendum - EASTERN {(~yeast)EAST}{cERN}- See comments)

5   Ostentatious with money, steals regularly (6) TINSEL {TIN}{StEaLs}

6   Forbids to construct plant (5,4) BIRDS FOOT*

7   Controversial agenda tabled by Spain (7) EMOTIVE {MOTIVE}<=>{E}

8   Electrical appliance found at foothill, available at Zepto taken by engineer (6-7) FRIDGE-FREEZER {F}{RIDGE}{FREE}{Z}{ER}

14 Worried people enter vacant tenement after society's communiqué (9) STATEMENT {ATE}{MEN} in {Te...nT} after {S}

16 Injured bat, lies immobile (7) STABILE*

18 Upset hero at empty terminal exited entrance (7) STARTLE {STAR}{Te...aL}{Ex...d}

19 Ideas floated in Southern Spain coast (7) SEASIDE {IDEAS}* in {S}{E}

20 Caution in dugout, one taking last wicket (6) CAVEAT {CAVE}{A}{w...eT}

23 Model is not Mark (5) TAINT {T}{'AINT}

Reference List

Money = Rs, Note = N, Small = S, Positive = P, Spain = E, Foot = F, Zepto = Z, Engineer = ER, Society = S, Southern = S, Model = T

No 14412, Wednesday 19 Feb 2025, Vidwan

Solution to 23A 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Two months in the last quarter? Concentrate! (6) DECOCT {DEC}{OCT}

4   Opportunities to head into ship (6) SCAPES {S{CAPE}S}

10 The vile Yemeni, casting malicious look (4,3) EVIL EYE [T]

11 Trained agent putting love behind with rose! (7) TUTORED {T(-o)UT(+o)O}{RED} 

12 Ballot for appointment of a military chief? (7,8) GENERAL ELECTION [C&DD]

13 Ordinary, innocuous spice, most ordered! (13) INCONSPICUOUS {INNOCUOUS+SPICe}*

14 You cannot keep sitting on this instruction! (8,5) STANDING ORDER [CD]

21 Played by all fat fans too! It is not a real competition! (7,8) FANTASY FOOTBALL*

22 Give up control over half of Gallic nation (7) REFRAIN {RE{FRAnce}IN}

23 Clues about a forgotten legend of dribble (7) S?I?T?E (Addendum - SPITTLE {TIPS<=}{TaLE} - See comments)

24 This Greek art could provide rationale (6) EOLIAN [CA] {EOLIAN+ART}* = {RATIONALE} 

25 See southern parts blast (6) DESCRY {DE{S}CRY}

DOWN

1   Basically to delve, remove earth, dig ground, excavate (6) DREDGE Acrostic &lit

2   Life energy's almost gone anyway, by opening of navel and roll of hair on nape of neck (7) CHIGNON {CHI}{GONe*}{Na..l}

3   Ice hero's animated greeting (7) CHEERIO*

5   Some delicate chunks of resin (7) CATECHU [T]

6   Rest inside Alexander's adversary's territory (7) PURLIEU {PUR{LIE}U}

7   Editor going in without chairs (6) SEDANS {S{ED}ANS}

8   Making fresh arrangement by correcting, taking time out for girl (13) RECLASSIFYING REC(-t+lass)LASSFYING

9   Hero's last manoeuvres involved King's decoy (8-5) STALKING-HORSE {HEROS+LAST}* over {KING}

15 Unfelt, universal, kind of musical (7) TUNEFUL {UNFELT+U}*

16 A raga in flowing river (7) NIAGARA*

17 Rope from Spooner's loo (7) RATLINE (latrine to ratline)

18 Tolerant English girl ignoring backside spasm (7) ELASTIC {A}{LASs}{TIC}

19 Disreputable girlfriend or Church? That's some weight! (6) GFORCE {GF}{OR}{CE} Why disreputable? Enu should be (1-5)

20 Inactive agent has cover (6) SLEEPY {S{LEE}PY}

Reference List

Ship = SS, Southern = S, Time = T, Universal = U, Girlfriend = GF, Church = CE, Cover = LEE

No 14411, Tuesday 18 Feb 2025, Vidwan

Solution to 9D 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Disconnect from most charming part of workplace (6) CUTOFF {CUTe}{OFFice}

4   Small, baby-like divers (6) SCUBAS {S}{CUB}{AS}

10 Mysterious figure from the Caribbean? (7,8) BERMUDA TRIANGLE [GK] It's not part of the Caribbean but it's part of North Atlantic Ocean

11 Kind of coal that is having right energy count (7) CALORIE {COAL*}{IE} over {R}

12 Women mostly are tired after killing a bird! (7) WARBLER {W}{ARe}{BLEaR}

13 One coming in for a test runs into division like 1/2 or 3/4 (6,8) SIMPLE FRACTION {S(-a+1)IMPLE}{F{R}ACTION}

17 Metaphor is one form of address? (6,2,6) FIGURE OF SPEECH {FIGURE}{OF}{SPEECH}

20 Regularly turns to liquor to open up! (7) UNTWINE {tUrNs+To}{WINE}

23 With smile, Commie returned to mill! (7) GRINDER {GRIN}{RED<=}

25 Part of a book - story about black hustler in much hollowed times (5,2,8) TABLE OF CONTENTS {TA{B}LE}{OF{CON}TEN}{TimeS}

26 Firm to redo works (6) ROOTED*

27 Work with nervy, wobbly dragon (6) WYVERN {W}{NERVY*}

DOWN

1   Solidly built beginner starts to idolise coach (5) CUBIC {CUB}{Id...e}{Co..h}

2   Exciting short period of time invested in farming (9) THRILLING {T{HR}ILLING}

3   Female parlours, magical crystals (9) FLUORSPAR {F}{PARLOURS*}

5   Position of a professor, one involved with housemaid (5) CHAIR {CHA{1}R}

6   Bold generation! Learner's winning all games in the set! (5) BAGEL {B}{AGE}{L}

7   Controlling, exuding power from high ground (8) STEERING {STEEp}{RING} Ground/Ring? See comments

8   English men in contest about floral arrangement (6) RACEME {RAC{E}{M}E}

9   One produces seed mostly without fuss (6) ?R?W?R (Addendum - GROWER {G{ROW}ERm} - See comments)

14 Attraction of a counterculture icon, most want to taste (9) CHEMISTRY {CHE}{MISs}{TRY}

15 Nice start to day! Nice start to occasion! (9) INCIDENCE {NICE+Day+NICE}*

16 Trembling, awful at times, say (8) AFLUTTER {AwFuL}{UTTER}

18 Neo is unique! (3-3) ONE-OFF {NEO}* [RA]

19 Employ beats in song (4,2) SIGN ON*

21 Unduly involved a British ban (5) TABOO {T{A}{B}OO}

22 Girl kept hostage by their enemies (5) IRENE [T]

24 Control over society? Japan is an example! (5) RESIN {RE{S}IN}

Reference List

Small = S, Right = R, Women = W, Runs = R, Black = B, Hustler = CON, Work = W, Female = F, Bold = B, Learner = L, Power = P, English = E, Men = M, British = B, Society = S