Question 1

What does the cryptic crossword clue "He was Clay before a second name assumed (5)" mean?

Accepted Answer

The definition part of the clue is "name assumed". The wordplay technique is a container (one word inside another). The answer is ALIAS. Explanation: ALI (synonym="Clay") + A (abbreviation="a") + S (abbreviation="second") = ALIAS; definition: "name assumed"

Question 2

What is the answer to "He was Clay before a second name assumed (5)"?

Accepted Answer

The answer is ALIAS.

Question 3

What type of wordplay is used in "He was Clay before a second name assumed (5)"?

Accepted Answer

This clue uses a container (one word inside another) as its wordplay technique.