No 14882, Wednesday 26 Aug 2026, Dr. X

HAPPY ONAM

Rangoli by Gowri

Solution to 10D 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   Playful sexual activity of Bond having drink with English lady in retreat (4,3,6) SLAP AND TICKLE {S{LAP}{AND}TICK} with {E}{L}<=

8   Massage the Spanish star (5) RIGEL {RIG}{EL}

9   Charges in Leeds animatedly after taking wicket (9) DELEGATES {DELE{GATE}S*}

11 See godson slyly stealing money - oh dear! (8,2) GOODNESS ME {SEE+GODSON}* over {M}

12 Wire-tap catches nationalist giving bribe (4) BUNG {BU{N}G}

14 Hint about turbulent ride in disturbed sea due to currents (4,3) TIDE RIP {T{RIDE*}IP}

16 Highest in quiz, dominates completely (7) TALLEST {T{ALL}EST}

17 Associate eventually checks innermost layers of blood vessel (7) INTIMAE {A} in {IN TIME}

19 Topless seaside resort in England is trendy (5-2) RIGHT-ON bRIGHTON

21 Girl on edge, becoming sullen (4) GRIM {G}{RIM}

22 American character beginning to feel good after controlling hot, quick temper (1,5,4) A SHORT FUSE {A}{SORT}{Feel}{USE} over {H}

25 Prominent feature of model on one's arm (5,4) ROMAN NOSE*

26 Consumed some wine at entertainment (5) EATEN [T]

27 Couple consuming ganja essentially and relaxing in flat (13) UNINTERESTING {UNI{gaNja}TE}{RESTING}

DOWN

2   Pursue large dog running around tree (7) LOGWOOD {WOO} in {L+DOG}*

3   Romp with lad in fancy European racecar perhaps (10) PALINDROME {ROMP+LAD+IN}*{E} DBE

4   Star in retreat cuddling extremely divine, unclad art models (5) NUDES {SUN<=} over {Di..nE}

5   Reel about the French master's scientific instrument (9) TELEMETER {TE{LE}{M}ETER}

6   Pound of cocaine on degenerate (4) CAGE {C}{AGE}

7   Vegetable cutlet served with starter of eggplant (7) LETTUCE {CUTLET*}{Eg...t}

8   Footballer erring with shot over top of goal (5-6) RIGHT-WINGER {ERRING+WITH}* over {Goal}

10 Guess the number in jar without looking (5,6) S?G?T ?N?E?N ()

13 One chasing blonde in gathering is most frivolous (10) FLIGHTIEST {I}<=>{LIGHT} in {FEST}

15 Emphasise how to return cursor to beginning of current active line (5,4) PRESS HOME [C&DD]

18 I am weak, taking vitamin (7) THIAMIN {TH{I}{AM}IN}

20 Relative enthralled by tenor performing in English county town (7) TAUNTON {T}{AUNT}{ON}

23 Selection of robes, extremely large (5) OBESE [T]

24 Informed about naked sot entering bar (2,2) IN ON {IN{sOt}N}

Reference List

English = E, Lady = L, The in Spanish = EL, Money = M, Nationalist = N, Associate = A, Girl = G, Hot = H, Pursue = WOO, Large = L, European = E, The in French = LE, Master = M, Cocaine = C, Tenor = T