Wednesday, 18 March 2026

No 14744, Wednesday 18 Mar 2026, Pixie Dust

Solution to 6D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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   Salt & ice repeatedly consumed... It's divine? (14) ECCLESIASTICAL* Letter Bank
10 Finally Emma, Theo & Roger sight a large vessel (5) AORTA Tail acrostic
11 Spooner's model kin in protective covering (9) NOSEPIECE (~pose niece to nosepiece)
12 Fine in a US state and city (7) OKINAWA {OK}{IN}{A}{WA}
13 Old lady tires out masters (7) MAESTRI {MA}{TIRES*}
14 Curb mob hastily in possession of recalled weapon (1-4) H-BOMB [T<=]
16 Introduce entropies animatedly (9) INTERPOSE*
19 Two young women court lecturer in thermal material (5,4) GLASS WOOL {G}{LASS}{WOO}{L}
20 To some extent glad it's revolutionary and related to current events? (5) TIDAL [T<=]
22 About the endless conflict with Tesla? Awry! (7) ATHWART {A}{THe}{WAR}{T}
25 Exhausted chap Miles, with chapped dirty tumbler (7) GYMNAST {GuY}{M}{NASTy}
27 An "Oval VIP" broadcast referring to the work of a psychologist (9) PAVLOVIAN*
28 As per rumours Miss is unattached (5) LOOSE (~lose) 
29 Does this entitlement programme somehow ease Clod's curiosity? (6,8) SOCIAL SECURITY {SOCIAL+SECURITY+DOES}* = {EASE CLODS CURIOSITY}

DOWN
2   Movies (not English) about Ohio supporting automobile growth (9) CARCINOMA {CINeMA} over {O} under {CAR}
3   Beast and spiritual leader in conversation (5) LLAMA (~lama)
4   Bewildered oarsman in country (3,6) SAN MARINO*
5   Mob cycling around a state in the east (5) ASSAM (-m}ASS(+m) over {A}
6   What a toupee protects is off the record! (3-6) T?P-?E?R?T  ()
7   Comb caught by others (5) CREST {C}{REST}
8   General we hear, fixed a dangerous marine condition (3,4) LEE TIDE {LEE}{(~tied)TIDE}
9   Boot from every third magical elmwood? Sigh! (6) GALOSH {maGicAl+eLmwOod+SigH}
15 Supervisor with a heavenly body in a Brazilian dance (5,4) BOSSA NOVA {BOSS}{A}{NOVA}
17 Emerging adult assumes stage is created basically for one well suited to be on screen (9) TELEGENIC {TE{LEG}EN}{Is}{Cr...d}
18 Radical amount? (3,3,3) ODD MAN OUT {AMOUNT}* [RA]
19 Reprimand visiting grand parents for alcoholic drinks (7) GRAPPAS {G}{RAP}{PAS}
21 Panic inside flat he renovated (6) LATHER [T]
23 Leaders having a vacation over Christmas in confusion (5) HAVOC Acrostic
24 Rides in slips (5) TRIPS [DD]
26 Grinder just switched sides (5) MOLAR MO(+l-r)LA(-l+r)R

Reference List
Young woman = G,LASS< Lecturer = L, Tesla = T, Miles = M, English = E, Caught = C, Grand = G

24 comments:

  1. You name it, we have it!!!
    All types of clues from simple anagrams to RA's to letter bank to a very Special CA.
    Great effort!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Replies
    1. Thanks for the motivation Padmanabhan ❤️

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  3. Pixie Dust always serves Buffet. Grinder as molar, 19A are some of the good clues. Thanks Mona Sogal for a wonderful CW.
    Sathia

    ReplyDelete
  4. Enjoyed solving first and checking next. Many new words, ideas are given.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 6D, Top secret= off the record
    Top secret <toupee protects (Top secret)
    Anagram

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is it an anagram? looks like CD

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. It is DD, double definition. Just like toupee( protecting head), top (head) secret protects. Fun with pun !

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    4. C&DD.
      Toupee was used to disguise bald heads! (Top secret!). Now it's a fashion accessory.
      But toupee root word is top!!

      Delete
  6. 15d Nova is an event! Not a body!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please check Collins and Chambers thesaurus...it is a star and hence a heavenly body...thanks

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    2. Nova, short for nova stella, is used in only in one circumstance. To refer to a star that is under going the event.

      Does new moon become heavenly body!

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  7. 6D my solution to 6 D was: (toupee protects minus ep out )* out is off and record is ep

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. What is definition? If off record also used.
    Definition is “of the record”
    Anyhow a good different thinking.
    Sathia

    ReplyDelete

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