No 13994, Friday 13 Oct 2023, WrdPlougher

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS ON FRIDAYS 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   Spokespersons briefly starting to speak about additional premium electronic ID (6) PAPERS {PRo}{Sp..k} over {A}{P}{E} A/Additional? P/Premium? 

5   Once again following fashionable cues, badly lacking confidence (8) INSECURE {RE}<=>{IN} and {CUES*}

9   Caution in war, in essence, concealed (8) WARINESS [T]

10 Ball in endless chamber, part of building (6) CORBEL {C{ORB}ELl}

11 Lingerie lost, Cher nude, possibly... (12) UNDERCLOTHES*

13 ... present, covered in her enigma (4) HERE [T]

14 Tailless felines, first pair, of ancestry unknown, caught wrapped in rugs (4,4) MANX CATS {ANc...y}{X}{C} in {MATS}

17 Not now, initially Deutsche Welle's broadcast in American city centre (8) DOWNTOWN {NOT+NOW+De...e+We..e}*

18 Sounded somewhat strange (4) RANG [T]

20 X tweet, essentially, I mean, confused about the tenth question (5-7) CROSS-EXAMINE {CROSS}{twEet}{I+MEAN}* over {X} X is Ten or Tenth?

23 Embarrassed about fight in front of prison guard (6) WARDER {RED<=}<=>{WAR}

24 Peeled lime after briefly fasting, losing fat, beginning to starve — one calorie causing harm (8) INIMICAL {lIMe}<=>{fastINg} and ({1}{CAL} The usual convoluted clue

25 Passionate doctor checking stitch, even on vacation (8) VEHEMENT {VE{HEM}{EveN}T}

26 "Divide achieved, Mr. Spooner?" (6) SUNDER (~ done sir to sunder)

DOWN

2   Moody being, perhaps, rising Aussie cricketer (4) AGAR Anno pending

3   Great manure, not primarily for luxurious spreads? (9) EPICUREAN {EPIC}{mANURE}* What's the Anind?

4   Awkward dates, shy, finally going strong (6) STEADY {DATES}*{shY}

5   One who pulls strings, perhaps struts in — male nit (15) INSTRUMENTALIST*

6   Feeding young bird with a bit of salmon instead of daughter (8) SUCKLING (-d+s)SUCKLING

7   Wagon carrying some amphetamines, around 200 mg (5) CARAT {CAR{Am...e}T}

8   Turning around, Vencat regularly offering more time in office (10) REELECTING {REEL{vEnCaT}ING} Is this definition correct?

12 Cut up carved lemon duck, alternatively scarf down gateau, so to speak? (6,4) DEVOUR CAKE {CARVED+lEmOn+dUcK}*

15 Red stone I can learn about (9) CARNELIAN*

16 In release, assured of success (4,4) HOME FREE {HOME}{FREE}

19 Insist on protests (3-3) SIT-INS* What's the Anind?

21 Slide casually, move along the edge (5) SIDLE*

22 Decline southern maiden, awed to some extent (4) WANE [T<=]

Reference List

Electronic = E, Again = RE, Fashionable = IN, Unknown = X, Caught = C, Cross = X, Daughter = D, In = HOME

No 13958, Thursday 31 Aug 2023, WrdPlougher

Solution to 4A 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.

Too may meaningless ellipses!!

ACROSS

1   Gives an address to top Nazi bodyguards going around (6) SPEAKS {S{PEAK}S}

4   Winner conceding point, essentially to get energy for powerful aim? (6) ?E?T?R (Addendum - VECTOR V(-i+e)ECTOR - See comments)

9   The article originally stirring enmity (4) HATE {THE+Ar...e}*

10 Occasion basically honouring friend someday (10) EVENTUALLY {EVENT}{h..oUr..g}{ALLY} Basically for middle letter? See comments

11 Couch empty threat in speech (without a hint of politeness, compassion, humility), starting to electioneer (6) SETTEE {SpE{Th..aT}Ech}{El...r}

12 Drew, Nancy's exposés — "Den's leaders following criminal lout at home" (8) OUTLINED {Ex...s}{Den}<=>{LOUT*}{IN} What's the role of Nancy's?

13 Amy musing about space, where mass is created (9) GYMNASIUM*

15 Constant need to be cut in half like a tree (4) PINE {PI}{NEed}

16 Beat knight, winning fight in the end (4) STIR {S{f..hT}IR}

17 Saint within right to regularly bear some sort of audience (9) LISTENERS {LI{ST}EN}{bEaR}{Sort}

21 Bond explosive ion later... (8) RELATION*

22 ... if not, alternatively, burn blue-ish sulphur (6) UNLESS {bUrN+bLuE+iSh}}{S}

24 Saw nightclub, swerved recklessly, losing direction (10) DISCOVERED {DISCO}{swERVED*}

25 Starting to fall sick, stuff... (4) FILL {Fall}{ILL}

26 ... left nose, out of oxygen finally with empty remedies, flops (6) LOSERS {L}nOSE}{Re...eS}

27 Rubs out errors in speech, insubstantial errors (6) ERASES {(~errors)ERAS}{Er..rS}

DOWN

1   People's ownership claim in secret... (7) SLAVERY {SL{AVER}Y}

2   ... electronic portal, part of programming... (5) EVENT {E}{VENT}

3   ... those who find, perhaps, Dhoni awesome in the middle? (7) KEEPERS {KEEPER}{aweSome}

5   Teesta reforming land area (6) ESTATE*

6   Common practice, transferring to another country, forgetting former spouse (9) TRADITION exTRADITION

7   Dancing free, topless, live free (7) RELIEVE {fREE+LIVE}*

8   Circling radical (13) REVOLUTIONARY [DD]

14 Bores gits regularly, going into little details? (9) NUISANCES {NU{gItS}ANCES}

16 Important detail briefly disclosed, mainly about rise of AI (7) SPECIAL {SPECs}{discLosed} over {AI<=}

18 German guy's article buried by our newspaper, global agency making noise (7) THUNDER {DER}<=>{TH}{UN} What's the role of 'guy's' ?

19 Sleeps around, regularly mulls success (7) RESULTS {RES{mUlL}TS}

20 Second, place cutlery... (6) SILVER [DD]

23 ... plates, occasionally eating Indian food, primarily for feelings of happiness (5) LIFTS {pLaTeS} over {In...n}{Food}

Reference List

Nazi bodyguards = SS, Energy = E, Saint = ST, Sulphur  S, Direction = SW(South West), Left = L, Electronic = E, Former spouse = EX, German guy's article = DER, Our newspaper = TH

No 13904, Thursday 29 Jun 2023, WrdPlougher

Solution to 9A 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   Communist fighting back to alter map (6) REDRAW {RED}{WAR<=}

4   Working out a maths problem, breathing (6) ASTHMA*

9   Article 5 imposed centrally by western State (4)  ?V?W (Addendum - AVOW {A}{V}{impOsed}{W} - See comments)

10 Detailed entry payment for landowner (6,4) GROUND RENT {ENTRy}* [RA supposedly]

11 Series of petitions not applicable after half a month (6) NOVENA {NA}<=>{NOVEmber}

12 Saints leaving volatile southeast, mainly foreseeing refreshing place? (8) TEAHOUSE {sOUtHEAsT}* +{f..eSEe..g}

13 Drinks, sings off-key, devouring fish (3,6) GIN SLINGS {SINGS}* over {LING}

15 Outskirts of Chennai, trendy Metropolis (4) CITY {Ch...aI}{Tr..dY}

16 Curb social media, primarily restricting return of Meta essentially (4) STEM {So...l}{mETa<}{Me..a}

17 Like a gymnast, (robotic) — giving up love for a circus act initially — travelling west and coming first (9) ACROBATIC {ROB(-o+a)ATIC}<=>{Ci...s}{Act}<=

21 "Apt cut, Ed! Garbled sticky material." (4,4) DUCT TAPE*

22 Seconds (once more) of food served at The Hindu canteen perhaps? (6) THRICE {RICE}<=>{TH} Definition not understood? What's the role of 'canteen perhaps'?

24 Froth at the mouth every fortnight since COVID emergence, having hot fever (10) EFFERVESCE {Ev..y}{Fo...t}{Si..e}{Co..d}{Em...e} over {FEVER*}

25 Defeat a knocked-out beast (4) BEST BEaST

26 Without difficulty, without boundaries, team CSK and in-focus players winning IPL; on vacation (6) EASILY {tEAm}{cSk}{plaYers} over {IpL}

27 A plane without fuel finally ejecting disorderly idler (6) GLIDER {e...nG}{IDLER*}

DOWN

1   Stuffed pasta ricotta into hungry mouths of little imps with a bit of vermicelli (7) RAVIOLI {Ri...tA}{IntO}{Li...e}{Imps} over {Ve...i}

2   Dip end of straw in shot (5) DOWSE {DO{s..aW}SE}

3   Two articles essentially published about three letters in order to make money (7) AFGHANI {A}{AN}{p..lIs..d} over {FGH}

5   Town in Afghanistan that may span a foot? (6) SANDAL [DD]

6   Organ of the mouth working oddly in chap following damage (9) HARMONICA {ON}{In+ChAp}<=>{HARM} 

7   Pardon criminal men in a den (7) AMNESTY {A}{MEN*}{STY}

8   Running to catch geese to get energy, source of protein? (7,6) COTTAGE CHEESE {TO+CATCH+GEESE}* over {E}

14 Flowering plants beginning to secrete stinky liquid, runny paste (5,4) SWEET PEAS {Se...e}{WEE}{PASTE*}

16 Beginning to ululate very loudly, overwhelmed by one soft sound (7) SOUFFLE {SO{Ul...e}{FF}LE} 

18 Abandon morals for money? On the contrary, prove a better salesperson (7) OUTSELL {SELL<=>OUT} How does on the contrary indicate splitting and interchanging parts of a word?

19 One of 32 Ronin briefly going north, sheltering 101st leader of Samurais (7) INCISOR {RONIn<=} over {CI}{Sa...i}

20 Omar Velasquez's wonder (6) MARVEL [T]

23 Extremely violent sailor cutting free (5) RABID {R{AB}ID}

Reference List

Not applicable = NA, Saints = STS, Energy = E, Loud = F, 101 = CI, Sailor = AB

No 13855, Wednesday 03 May 2023, WrdPlougher

Solution to 13A 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.

OOF!!

ACROSS

6   Decides to retreat, abducting a gutless gendarme in front of Nazi police (7) GESTAPO {OP{A}TS<=}<=>{Ge...mE}

7   Dreamy seductress from third-world country chasing success, exempt from tax (7) SUCCUBA {CUBA}<=>{SUCcess}

9   Reveal bad pun about Indonesia (5) UNRIP {UN{RI}P*} RI/Republic of Indonesia?

10 Negotiate (initially indifferent about rent) even... (9) INTERVENE {In...t}{RENT+EVEN}*

11 ... harsher tenancy regulations on peasants, at first returning hectares upfront for nominal sum (7) HAPORTH {Ha...r}{Te...y}{Re...s}{On}{Pe...s}<=>{HA}

13 Beautiful Greek buildings (not astonishing) essentially following architect's principle (6) ?D?N?S (Addendum - ADONIS {b..lDi..s}{nOt}{astoNIShing}<=>{Ar...t} - See comments) 

15 Helping to break even oaths, promising lovers from the heart, chasing females inside - appalling to see in cricket club (4-9) COST-EFFECTIVE {oaThs}{p..mIs..g}{loVErs} after{C{OSTE{F}{F}E*}C} Will give a prize to anyone who can make this clue more convoluted than this!!

19 Floating on a plank? (6) ABOARD {A}{BOARD}

20 Wine, no doubt, starting to ferment inside, extremely easy to turn into water (7) LIQUEFY {LIQUor}{Ea{Fe...t}sY}

23 Non-regular actor, one boring dry leading man (9) PATRIARCH {P{AcToR}{I}ARCH}

24 Not at scene of crime, perhaps bailed out one missing journalist (5) ALIBI {BAILed}*{1}

26 Nobleman barely smart, lacking shame, somehow squeamish (7) MARQUIS {sMARt}{SQUeamIsh}*

27 Runs (actively, regularly) nearby school (7) NURSERY {RUNS*}{nEaRbY}

DOWN

1   Tycoon beginning to trade stocks and essentially sharing (4) TSAR {Tr..e}{St...s}{And}{shaRing}

2   One tenting temporarily in beaches mainly & missing sand (6) CAMPER {beaChes}{AMPERsand}

3   "Eat quickly! Cut-up headless fish no longer fresh!" (6,3) POLISH OFF {LOP<=}{fISH}{OFF}

4   Authorise heads of COVID committee to enter ward, rejecting outsiders, ahead of rising wave (8) ACCREDIT {wA{Co..d}{Co...e}Rd}{TIDE<=}

5   Short of time, desperately renovates U.P., displaying bright lights up high (10) SUPERNOVAE {RENOVAtES}* over {UP}

6   Try tackling a universal champion - Ronaldinho, perhaps (6) GAUCHO {G{A}{U}{CH}O}

7   Eats bananas to fill one's stomach (4) SATE*

8   Opposed state's by-election to begin with (6) AVERSE {AVER'S}{El...n}

12 Primarily not agile, pulling super hero uniform finally over cape (10) PROMONTORY {P{s..eR}{herO}{u...rM}{NOT*}{O}RY} Not sure of Anno (Addendum - {sPRY} over  {s..eR}{herO}{u...rM}{ONTO} - See comments)

14 Spooner's defeat bound to be a way of saying hello? (9) CELLPHONE (~ fell sworn to cellphone)

16 Stop time in America (8) TERMINUS {TERM}{IN}{US}

17 Bits of woven American molluscoid pearls, useful money (6) WAMPUM Acrotic Semi&lit

18 Represent precisely sharp foci of microscopy conclusively, perhaps (6) TYPIFY Tail Acrostic Semi&lit

21 Bay filled with remora, primarily twice the prey (6) QUARRY {QUA{Re...a}{Re...a}Y}

22 One's bizarre skills (4) ARTS {TSAR}* 

25 Nearly the best impression (4) IDEA IDEAl

Reference List

Hectare = HA, Journalist = ED, Time = T, Universal = U, Champion = CH, Over = ONTO

No 13830, Tuesday 04 Apr 2023, WrdPlougher

Solution to 24D 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.

ACROSS

6   Warming up, losing weight finally for finale of world title (7) HEADING HEA(-t+d)DING

7   A brief concern about sharp weapon (5) ARROW {A}{WORRy<=}

9   Pretentious section of partygoers (4) ARTY [T]

10 Certain vitamin tablets essentially chewed (costing money) to get energy (10) INEVITABLE Anno pending (Addendum - {VITAmIN+taBLEts}*{E} - See comments)

11 "Colourful agent, eccentric heartless spy (duet extremely loud)... (8) DYESTUFF {SpY+DUET}*{FF}

13 ... perhaps, Arjuna in Virata's kingdom — climax of movie much fun (excluding leads) — the latter coming first" (6)  EUNUCH {m..iE} with {mUCH}<=>{fUN}

15 Big vehicle, in short, first model in reversing fuel... (4) LIMO {O{Mo..l}IL<=}

17 ... emissions finally, even without margins, to zero (5) SQUAT {e...nS}{eQUATe}  Definition not clear See comments

18 Metamorphosing time for tiny insect (4) MITE*

19 Oral spelling correct – (6) SPOKEN [DD] (Correction - {SP}{OK}{EN} - See comments)

20 Time for a cuppa? Thirstily attack a beer brewed along with a drop of tequila (3,5) TEA BREAK {At..cK+A+BEER+Te...a}*

23 Sewer rats' messes all over the place (10) SEAMSTRESS* 

26 Idiot waterbird (4) LOON [DD]

27 Stirred cha in extremely fancy goblet vessel used for parties (5) YACHT {f..cY}{CHA*}{g...eT}

28 Confirmed bachelor kicked out of Pennsylvanian college (7) ALRIGHT ALbRIGHT

DOWN

1   Milkmaids' apron? (5,5) LADYS SMOCK [E] [DD]

2   Setting grids regularly, still essentially accepted by Maine university (6) MILIEU {M{IL}{stIll}E}{U} IL from? (Addendum - {M{grIds}{reguLarly}{stIll}E}{U} - See comments)

3   Shrek, say — abominable lower-class rogue (4) OGRE ROGuE*

4   Clear sail, going around fine at sea (8) MANIFEST {MA{FINE*}ST} How can a SAIL be a MAST?

5   Fertilizer squeezed into manure agitator (4) UREA [T]

6   Scramble curry (hot, not cold) (5) HURRY (-c+h)HURRY

8   Perhaps it'd claw fierce young woman (7) WILDCAT*

12 Effect of flute changing direction for the audience (5) FRUIT (~ flute to frute)

14 Decipher gloomy rune to reveal superstition you can count on? (10) NUMEROLOGY*

16 Irreverence of cheeky kid that is beginning to trouble you (7) IMPIETY {IMP}{IE}{Tr...e}{You}

17 Importance of tips from consultant in mental health (8) SANCTITY {SAN{Co...nT}ITY}

21 Like kind group (6) ASSORT {AS}{SORT}

22 Raise hand to regularly point (5) ADOPT {hAnD+tO}{PT}

24 Fake shock, completely taken aback in some measure (4) M?C? (Addendum - MOCK [T<=] - See comments)

25 Test match at Edgbaston — for starters, upset over team losing one (4) EXAM {Ma..h}{At}{Ed...n}<= over {XI}

Reference List

Money = M, Energy = E, Spelling = SP, - = (dash) = EN, Bachelor = B, Maine = ME, University = U, Hot = H, Cold = C, Point = PT

No 13804, Saturday 04 Mar 2023, WrdPlougher

ACROSS

1   Every writer ridiculed, debarred, essentially upright (13) PERPENDICULAR {PER}{PEN}{riDICULer}{debARred}

8   Advance in leaps, bounds, giant prances, each a step further than the last (4) LOAN {Le..s}{bOu..s}{giAnt}{praNces}

9   Friend of Eric bored by cricket match daily (10) PERIODICAL {P{ERI{ODI}C}AL}

10 Oddly, Goan first to taste French water and cake (6) GATEAU {GoAn}{Ta..e}{EAU}

11 Alarm initially rung out in city signalling an earthquake, say (8) CALAMITY {C{ALArM}ITY

12 Grant nod principally for UN's first debt instrument (9) ACCORDION {ACCORD}{IO(-u+n} 

14 Play the lead in & as Tarzan (4) STAR [T]

15 Neat coloured fabric, ends trimmed (4) TIDY {TIe DYe} 

16 Magnify complete audiovisual for (for example) ... (9) AGGRAVATE AGGR(-eg+av)AVATE

20 ... slide show, Powerpoint - your last two choices, in-depth and new (8) DOWNTURN {DO}{W}{p...iNT{yoUR}{N} Depth/W?

21 Energy firm second to secure U.S. guarantee for powerful contractor? (6) BICEPS {BIC}{sEc..e}PS U.S. Guarantee/PS?

23 Treated ulcer vomit using Archimedes' method? (10) VOLUMETRIC*

24 What a groom might say, essentially beholding model (4) IDOL {I DO}{b..oLd..g}

25 Finger-snapper? (7,6) DIGITAL CAMERA Is this supposed to be an &lit?

DOWN

1   Dull photograph of American civil rights activist (7) PROSAIC {P{ROSA}IC}

2   Constitutional ambit (5) RANGE [CD]

3   Fair peacekeeper Democrat's voice (7) EXPOUND {EXPO}{UN}{D}

4   Leader in performance, etc., or ringleader (8-7)  DIRECTOR-GENERAL*

5   Heading to Champions' Trophy's final with two ducks and two fifties, like former India captain might? (6) COOLLY {Ch...s}{00}{LL}{t...hY} 

6   Recurring theme in meandering movie Tilt (9) LEITMOTIV*

7   Priest going around a chamber, generating energy? (7) REACTOR {RE{A}CTOR} 

13 Letters from golden burgeoning German city (9) OLDENBURG [T]

15 Fool briefly mentioned by Spooner twice (7) TWOFOLD (~fool told to two fold)

17 A Jewish girl talking about Rabbi essentially replacing head of religious centre (7) REBECCA {RE}{(-m+b)BECCA}

18 Vegetable starch 'generally' hated by Tintin's friend Alcazar (7)  TAPIOCA [CD/GK]

19 Clear browser within 40 days before Easter (6) LUCENT {L{UC}ENT}

22 Upright Arab ruler first to condemn wrongdoing (5) CRIME {EMIR}{Co...n}<= 

Reference List

Water in French = EAU, Audiovisual = AV, New = N, Democrat = D

No 13778, Thursday 02 Feb 2023, WrdPlougher

Solution to 19D 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.

WrdPlougher seems to be very proud of his 26th crossword with a Nina saying TWENTY SIX

ACROSS

7   Share market's third warning - heads of company unanimously pulling out (6) RATION {maRket} {AucTION} (Addendum - {cAuTION} - See comments)

8   Concocted toxins and discharged chemicals causing rust (8) OXIDANTS {TOXINS+AnD}* Discharged for deletion of centre?

9   Passing ships brewing gin (8) FLEETING {FLEET}{GIN*}

10 Sangria possessing half the charm? (3-3) GRI-GRI sanGRIa

11 Enacted final pieces of humane legislation after running decisively for Justice of Supreme Court (2-6) ON-SCREEN {h...nE}{l...oN}<=>{ON}{SC}{foR}{j...cE}

12 Home development stream (6) INFLUX {IN}{FLUX}

13 Greeted sage working to bring people together (11) DESEGREGATE*

18 Period of remand originally part of sentence (6) PHRASE {PH{Re...d}ASE}

20 No prize money to cover IOU, losing heart (8) NOBELIUM {NOBEL}{IoU}{M}

22 Going west on vacation, organise rare talks from many speakers (6) STEREO {Or...sE}{RarE}{TalkS}<=

23 Venerate two nurses face-to-face with title of honour in India (8) ENSHRINE {EN}<=>{NE} over {SHRI}

24 Odd bits from Iftar used up, eating what finally remains (8) DETRITUS {IfTaR+USED}* over {whaT}*

25 Like an angle not all that sharp? (6) OBTUSE [C&DD]

DOWN

1   Behind Spooner's ordinary nurse (4,3) TAIL END (~ail tend to tail end) Ail/Ordinary? Not sure of Anno (Addendum - (lay tend to tail end - See comments)

2   Smart Alec immersed in Langkawi sea creatures (8) WISEACRE [T]

3   Machine learning, AI, ultimately controlled by information without origin, infinite web (6) EN{l...nG}{aI} in {gEN}{NEt}

4   Annoying nerdy idiot primarily searching the web without specs (8) NIGGLING {Ne..y}{Id..t}{GooGLING}

5   Buffet, Iftar fest's foremost duty (6) TARIFF {IFTAR*}{Fest}

6   Silvery element, great illuminator - lastly - one mainly found forming alloy component (7) YTTRIUM {s...rY}{e...nT}{g..aT}{i...oR}{1}{foUnd}{forMing}

8   Street musicians, heart-breakers? (5-8) ORGAN-GRINDERS {ORGAN}{GRINDERS}

14 Prized canine setter, reportedly very tough, gutless (3,5) EYE TOOTH {(~i)EYE}{TOO}{TougH}

15 In the end, Revenant Leo desperately had to tuck in belly of horse or bear? (8) TOLERATE {r...nT}{LEO*}{ATE} over {hoRse}

16 "Yech! Nut in a pickle relish" (7) CHUTNEY*

17 Delivered somewhat flowerless plant stock? (7) FURNISH Anno pending (Addendum - (~fernish) - See comments)

19 Potter's profession, a sparkling prospect (6) A?R?R? (Addendum - AURURA {AUROR}{A} - See comments)

21 Present fancy set wrapped in bow (6) BESTOW {B{SET*}OW}

Reference List

Home = IN, Money = M, Nurse = EN(Enrolled Nurse), Specs = OO

No 13752, Monday 02 Jan 2023, WrdPlougher

Rangoli by Gowri

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.

WrdPlougher's clues have given me a headache. Had to cheat on many and then reverse engineer them for the annotations still I could not reverse engineer 23A!!

ACROSS

8   Stuff-renouncing saint admitting hoarding initially instead, in a bad mood (4) HUFF {stUFF}<=>{Ho...g}

9   Contrives to lose, both sides chasing leaderless team in central square (10) QUADRANGLE  {RANG}{LosE}<=>{sQUAD} (Addendum - {wRANGLEs}<=>{sQUAD} - See comments)

10 Played demure Tully in a 'Game...' show? (6) EDMURE*

11 Saying "Oh!", get map in a pickle (8) APOTHEGM*

12 Excited about the drill (8) THRILLED*

14 Move a muscle, take by force (6) ABDUCT [DD]

16 Unproductive bank (4) LEAN [DD]

17 First fled, burying upturned white-blue speckled vase (5) DELFT [T<=]

18 Actor is animated: "I'm me" (4) MIME*

19 Lacking coach, essentially teach no kind of music (6) TECHNO {TEaCH}{NO}

21 Without anyone's help, solver... (8) YOURSELF [DD]

23 ... partially gets convoluted clue without second-guessing setter, conundrum finally grasped, basically fills a square containing next seed? (4,4) GERM CELL {GEts}R{c...uM}{CLuE*}L Anno for R and L  pending. (Addendum - {GEts}(s...eR{c...uM}{CLuE*}{fiLls} - See comments) Can this get more convoluted!!!

26 Screen contents of blood (6) P?A?M? (Addendum - PLASMA [DD] - See comments)

27 Rant about modern oeuvre, without regard to gamut (regularly selected) of early 20th-Century paintings (3,7) ART NOUVEAU {RANT*}{OEUVre*}{gAmUt}

28 Complain about train lacking internet at first (4) RANT TRAiN*

DOWN

1   Messy crude science without substance about revolutionary quark (4,6) CURD CHEESE {CRUDE+Sc...cE}* over {CHE}

2   Outpouring of grief — milieu ultimately engulfed in escalating pandemonium (8) EFFUSION {oF}{g..eF}{m...eU} in {NOISE<=}

3   Issue a sharp report (like a pig or a rat perhaps) (6) SQUEAL [DD]

4   Information found at app stores (4) DATA [T]

5   Proud parrot, chanter in essence, absorbing song at last (8) ARROGANT {pARROt+chANTer} over {sonG}

6   Runs topless out of an old hood, not wearing shoes (6) UNSHOD {rUNS}{HOoD}

7   Young women raising plant — waste? (4) SLAG<=

13 Foolish old one that means to waste time along with dally (5) DILLY [DD?]

15 Tribute that may be paid to court? (10) COMPLIMENT (~complement)

17 Pair of French buns sent back unwrapped by Masterchef's first food channel? (8) DUODENUM {DUO}{DE}{bUNs<=}{Ma...f}

18 Abort Mission Impossible right in the middle of frightening... (8) MISCARRY {MI}{SCA{R}RY}

20 ... kind of hostage situation — CIA counter-terrorism bureau reach, finally retreating (6) HUMANE Tail Acrostic<=

22 Peacekeepers advertise: "Relax!" (6) UNPLUG {UN}{PLUG}

24 To some extent, fear none, get rich (4) EARN [T]

25 Invented German song (4) LIED [DD]

Reference List

Saint = ST, Old = O, Of in French = DE, Right = R

No 13725, Thursday 01 Dec 2022, WrdPlougher

Solution to 7A 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.

ACROSS

6   Disconnected cables partially entangled around two knobs at the hub (5) LOOSE {cabLES}* over {knObs}{knObs}

7   Observant article about electronic currency (4-4) O?E?-E?E? (Addendum - OPEN-EYED  {OP{E YEN<=}ED - See comments)

10 Brahms and Liszt tuning crwth, essentially tightening screw (4,3) WING NUT {TUNING+crWth}* What is 'crwth'? See comments 

11 "Please speak about tight fist!"... (7) SATISFY {SA{FIST*}Y}

12 ... employees beginning to shout near busy emergency room, barging in (7)  EARNERS {Sh..t+NEAR}* over {ER} 

13 Temporary short-lived reputation (5-2) STAND-IN [CD] (Addendum - STANDINg See comments)

14 Ring this nicely, finally press this to find the point marking the door to a man's heart? (5,6) BELLY BUTTON {BELL}{n...lY}{BUTTON}

19 Allure of the French monsieur initially opting to wear inverted hairpiece in America (7) GLAMOUR {LA}{M}{Op...g} in {RUG<=}

21 Bend our crooked boomerang (7) REBOUND*

23 Topical dances for the eyes (7) OPTICAL*

25 A 'friend' primarily into fashionable western Italian composer (7) ROSSINI {ROSS}{Into}{IN<=}

26 Tuk-tuk nearly covering one mile, starting to behold a faraway place (8) TIMBUKTU {TUK+TUk}* over {1}{M}{Be...d}

27 Oil container, crude truck filled with energy for a thousand (5) CRUET {TRUC(-k+e)E}*

DOWN

1   Above stall, in conclusion, right place to store cereal (8) CORNCRIB {CRIB}<=>{iN}{COR}

2   Every other step except the first in dance party involving spirits (6) SEANCE {StEp}{dANCE}

3   Oracle's black ash — absurd hearsay without a bit of accuracy (10) SOOTHSAYER {SOOT}{HEARSaY}*

4   Date back origin of fossil to be in the lead for reward (4) FEES {SEE<=}<=>{Fo...l}

5   Learned as a poem (6) VERSED [DD}

6   Advocate raw honesty, finally inspired by real revolutionary (6) LAWYER {raW}{h...tY} in {REAL}*

8   Snippet of garbled text about unfinished race (7) EXTRACT {ECT{RACe}T*}

9   Striving, striving in the second half to grasp story's ending (5) VYING {striV{s..rY}ING}

13 Raw cabbage a Turk sure appreciates, primarily shredded (10) SAUERKRAUT {A+TURK+SURE+Ap...s}*

15 Swinging iron club — rough's first cut of Simba, perhaps... (4,3) LION CUB {IrON+CLUB}*

16 ... lush, trimmed — after putt essentially gets buried in green... finally, endless rain forming spiral-shaped water body? (8) NAUTILUS {LUSh}<=> {pUTt}in {g..eN}{rAIn} Clue as convoluted as the solution?

17 Silver, coarse and bright (5) AGLOW {AG}{LOW}

18 Air defence division at sea (6) ADRIFT {AD}{RIFT}

20 Ain't at sea at first, secure (6) ATTAIN {AINT}*<=>{AT}

22 Bites roughly, getting at first cut, cut (6) BISECT {BISE{Cut}T*}

24 Similar to social media icon (4) LIKE [DD]

Reference List

Emergency Room = ER, The in French = LA, Monsieur = M, Fashionable = IN, Mile = M, Energy = E, Thousand = K, Date = SEE, Air Defence = AD 

No 13700, Wednesday 02 Nov 2022, WrdPlougher

Solution to 21D 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.

Poor Grid construction at 14 & 22 Across.

ACROSS

1   Sully actor's name, after some time, giving credit... (6) THANKS {HANKS}<=>{Time}

4   ... to review without newspaper's approval (6) PRAISE apPRAISE Newspaper/AP?

9   Reservoir collapse (4) TANK [DD]

10 Connecting spiritual force within hearts of hatha yogis (5) TYING {haTha}{YIN}{yoGis}

11 Bankrupted player every game (4) PREY {Pl..eR}{EverY}

12 Endlessly look around, always intense (6) SEVERE {S{EVER}Ee}

13 Deep, albeit containing gold (8) THOROUGH {TH{OR}OUGH}

14 Care about land, measure (4) ACRE*

16 Grains found in deserts and beaches (4) SAND [T] Semi&lit

17 Flying brides out of earth - not Supermen... not planes...? (5) BIRDS BRIDeS*

18 Held down squirming mouse, finally devoured (5) OWNED {OWN{m..sE}D*}

20 Pays the price for unearned runs behind the wicket, caught (4) BUYS (~byes)

22 Horse falling back, getting first advantage (4) GAIN {NA{1}G<=}

24 Places for cooking Spooner's birds (8) KITCHENS (~chickens to kitchens) Is this spoonerism correct?

25 One found lazing on a couch or in middle of hot controversy? (6) POTATO [D&CD]

28 Hit badly by recessions - in the end, a near thing! (4) THIS {HIT*}{r...nS}Definition not understood!!

29 Objects here, ripping sheet (5) THESE*

30 Measures sticks (4) BARS [DD]

31 Abruptly get rid of options, determinedly chasing dinar, pounds (6) DASHES ASHES<=>{D} Anno pending

32 Sleeve cut, torn around opening of loose layers (6) LEVELS {SLEEVe}* over {Lo..e}

DOWN

1   Urge cartographers to display North-oriented chart (5) TRACE [T]

2   Joint smokers (molly essentially) cracking - sane, losing head (5) ANKLE {sAN{smoKers}{moLly}E}

3   Rough skin covering dry bit of excrement and cat litter? (7) KITTENS {KI{TT}{Ex...t}NS*}

5   Ignore abandoned land (6) REGION*

6   Prankster on the move, advancing (9) IMPROVING {IMP}{ROVING}

7   Came out, met online? (7) EMERGED {E}{MERGED}

8   Noble dead, princess consort in focus to replace former wife (13) DISTINGUISHED (di+conSort-ex)DISTINGUISHED 

15 Works out problems (9) EXERCISES [DD]

19 From behind the stump mic, Aussie wicketkeeper entertained (7) WEIGHED (~wade)

21 Boss, one of 17 high-flying candidates - in short, the greatest (7) S?P?E?E ()

23 Container of fish that might be messy or different? (6) KETTLE [C&DD]

26 Submit chart (5) TABLE [DD]

27 Tries at first, triumphs over trophies in Australia or England? (5) TURNS {Tr...s}{URNS} The trophy is ASHES and not URNS!!

Reference List

Gold = OR, Earth = E, Dinar = D, Dry = TT, Online = E, Princess = DI

No 13692, Saturday 22 Oct 2022, WrdPlougher

ACROSS

8   Licence, one that isn't used to operate a steering wheel? (4,4) FREE HAND {FREE}{HAND}

9   Set by primarily high-quality setter (6) HARDEN {Hi...y}{ARDEN}

10 Short popular commercial, the same ending off-note (10) INADEQUATE {IN}{AD}{EQUATE} (Addendum {IN}{AD}{EQUAl}{TE} - See comments)

11 Listens in secret, in return, catches (4) NETS [T<=]

12 An artist, with paint, drawing essentially bright celebration? (6) DIWALI {D{paInt}{draWing}ALI}

14 Runners before rascals, according to Spooner (8) CREEPERS (~ pre curs to creepers)

15 Dumplings made by decisively frying beaten potato chunks cooked hot, Italian primarily (7) GNOCCHI {f...nG}{b...eN}{p...tO}{Ch...s}{Co...d}{Hot}{It...n}

17 One of two loudmouths on a soapbox chair? (7) SPEAKER [DD?]

20 Believing in truth, almost overcoming original sin, almost complete (8) TRUSTFUL {TRU{Sin}Th}{FULl}

22 Defeat virulent gout, returning numb halfway (6) OUTGUN {GOUT*}{NUmb<=}

24 Wise men taking refuge in imagination (4) MAGI [T]

25 Snitch caught finally, essentially Potter swallowing a quaffle, vomiting drink — story! (10) TATTLETALE {c...hT}{poTTer} over {A}  and {quaffLE}{TALE}

27 Not ok to watch boring impact winter sport (6) SLALOM {SLA{LOok}M}

28 Abruptly leave organisation leaderless, leading to crisis (8) EXIGENCY {EXIt}{aGENCY}

DOWN

1   Ancient inscription concealed inside, reportedly by South-Asian sultanate (6) BRUNEI {RUNE} in {(~by)BI}

2   Shoot second target (4) SEND {S}{END}

3   Conquer, disappear, abducting queen (8) VANQUISH {VAN{QU}ISH}

4   Progress of car between two periods (7) ADVANCE {AD}{VAN}{CE}

5   Appropriate way to greet first lady after president's term (6) THIEVE {Term}{HI}{EVE}

6   Complain about changing plans, after some time, relocate... (10) TRANSPLANT {RAN{PLANS*}T}<=>{Time}

7   ... abroad, e-refer going over books on the house? (4-4) RENT-FREE {E REFER}* over {NT}

13 Popular drink, full of calories, that is regurgitated all over ship barrel (10) ACCESSIBLE {A{CC}{I{SS}E<=}{B}LE}

16 Aggrieved, disunited, mourn friend as per custom (8) NORMALLY {MOuRN}*{ALLY}

18 Broadcast expert opinion (8) PROCLAIM {PRO}{CLAIM}

19 Dissect female snake (7) SLITHER {SLIT}{HER}

21 "City in Portugal," notes mother (6) FATIMA {FA}{TI}{MA}

23 Open cut hair? (6) UNLOCK {UN LOCK}

26 Those people mainly sitting over the border? (4) THEM {sitTing}{HEM}

Reference List

Popular = IN, Commercial = AD, Note = TE, Second = S, Queen = QU, Period = AD, CE, Time = T, Books = NT(New Testament), Calorie = C, Ship = SS, Barrel = B, United = U, Notes = FA, TI