No 14647, Monday 24 Nov 2025, Mythical

Solution to 25A 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   Understand measure used by sailors (6) FATHOM [DD]

4   A couple of seconds, and Chatgpt e.g. basically creates artwork (6) MOSAIC {MO}{S}{AI}{Cr...s}

8   Infected model blacked out after striking head (7) TAINTED {T}{fAINTED}

9   Dame possibly wearing princess's ornaments (7) DIADEMS {DAMES}*<=>{DI}

11 Arm Britons! Perhaps, this might solve the problem (10) BRAINSTORM*

12 It nurtures immense lands, Egypt primarily (4) NILE Acrostic &lit

13 Join unit controlled by setter (5) MERGE {M{ERG}E}

14 Reading about a plant with fragrant flowers (8) GARDENIA {READING}*{A}

16 Father a bit nostalgic after stories about fine years of existence (8) LIFESPAN {PA}{No...c}<=>{LI{F}ES}

18 Royal leaves - avoids parodies (5) SKITS SKIrTS

20 Essentially going around that US state (4) UTAH {tHAT+Us}<=

21 Had guests shot?! (6,4) PLAYED HOST {SHOT}* [RA]

23 Aristocrat admits lying about leading developer (7) PIONEER {P{NO1<=}EER}

24 Discussed reports in stages (7) STOREYS (~stories)

25 In auditorium, noticed player in spectacles (6) S?E?E? 

26 Song about alien traveller initially and princess in legendary ballet (6) ODETTE {OD{ET}{Tr...r}E}

DOWN

1   Extremely frightful appearance and style (5) FLAIR {Fr...uL}{AIR}

2   Port is more acidic (7) TANGIER [DD]

3   Fail to get up and go northward after cycling enthusiasts (9) OVERSLEEP {PEE<=}<=>{(-l)OVERS(+l)L}

5   Dislike quietly replacing daughter's drug (5) OPIUM O(-d+p)PIUM

6   Like well-cooked pasta and beer around study time (2,5) AL DENTE {AL{DEN}{T}E}

7   Criticises change, getting hold of member with note (9) COMPLAINS {CO{MP}{LA}INS}

10 Friendly convict getting cocktail of gin and ale (9) CONGENIAL {CON}{GIN+ALE}*

13 Takes care of leading saint abroad (9) MAINTAINS {MAIN}{SAINT*}

15 Esteemed doctor persecuted after rebuffing unionist (9) RESPECTED PERSECuTED*

17 Improve unit hospital area in front of new church (7) ENHANCE {EN}{H}{A}{N}{CE}

19 Receive from Will, perhaps? (7) INHERIT [CD]

21 Work in silence, they say (5) PIECE (~peace)

22 Ultimately, outfits must satisfy local taste and fashion (5) STYLE Tail acrostic

Reference List

Seconds = MO, S, Model = T, Princess = DI, Unit = ERG, Fine = F, Royal = R, Alien = ET, Go = PEE< Quietly = P, Daughter = D, Time = T, Note = LA, Unionist = U, Hospital = H, Area = A, New = N, Church = CE