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#28624
Times Cryptic Crossword #28624
Times Cryptic
· 32 clues with answers and explanations
· 2023-06-08
Explanations sourced from Times for the Times
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Across
Def
safe
Type
Reversal
Expl
PER(a) and IF(condition) reversed then ROOF(top of building)
— Times for the Times
Answer
FIREPROOF
Def
wine
Type
Charade, Reversal
Expl
SANG (synonym of "Celebrated") + AIR (synonym of "song") [reversal: "about"]; definition: "wine"
Answer
SANGRIA
Def
Plant disease
Type
Charade, Parts
Expl
ERGO (synonym of "- therefore") + T (last letter of "plant!") [last letter: "end"]; definition: "Plant disease"
Answer
ERGOT
Def
Clumsy
Type
Container
Expl
IN (synonym="home") + E (synonym="English") + LEG (synonym="member") + ANT (synonym="ANT") = INELEGANT; definition: "Clumsy"
Answer
INELEGANT
Def
canal
Type
Charade
Expl
ENTER (synonym of "Log") + ON (synonym of "over"); definition: "canal"
Answer
ENTERON
Def
one inclined to wander
Type
Charade
Expl
R (abbreviation="River") + OVER (synonym="maiden,") = ROVER; definition: "one inclined to wander"
Answer
ROVER
Def
cleric’s bolt-hole
Type
Deletion
Expl
MAN’S(isle’s) and the last letter of covE
— Times for the Times
Answer
MANSE
Def
disciple
Type
Charade, Container
Expl
SION (synonym of "Holy hill") + M (synonym of "male") [container: "in"]; definition: "disciple"
Answer
SIMON
Def
One waited for
Type
Charade
Expl
GO (synonym of "game") + DO (synonym of "- party") + T (synonym of "time?"); definition: "One waited"
Answer
GODOT
Def
Japanese dish
Type
Anagram, Charade
Expl
anagram of MASHIS ("Mash is") + I (abbreviation of "one") [anagram: "unusual"] = SASHIMI; definition: "Japanese dish"
Answer
SASHIMI
Def
Waterway
Type
Charade
Expl
C (synonym of "cold,") + REEK (synonym of "awful smell"); definition: "Waterway's"
Answer
CREEK
Def
pickled food item
Type
Container
Expl
G (synonym="good") + HER (synonym="the woman") + KIN (synonym="relations") = GHERKIN; definition: "pickled food item"
Answer
GHERKIN
Def
As
Type
Anagram
Expl
anagram of INRACES ("in races,") [anagram: "reorganised"] = ARSENIC; definition: "As"
Answer
ARSENIC
Def
bits of letters
Type
Charade
Expl
EX (abbreviation="Old") + TENDER (synonym="offers") + S (first_letter="supply") = EXTENDERS; definition: "bits of letters"
Answer
EXTENDERS
Down
Def
oldie
Type
Reversal
Expl
LISSOM(graceful), and F(female) minus M(male) reversed
— Times for the Times
Answer
FOSSIL
Def
grazing grounds
Type
Charade
Expl
RANG (synonym of "Made contact with") + ELANDS (synonym of "antelopes"); definition: "grazing grounds"
Answer
RANGELANDS
Def
garden feature
Type
Homophone
Expl
PART(some) then sounds like AIR(tune)
Answer
PARTERRE
Def
American city
Type
Reversal
Expl
MO (reversal="doctor") + AHA (synonym="I see!") = OMAHA; definition: "American city"
Answer
OMAHA
Def
made to feel good
Type
Charade
Expl
FLAT(dejected), then the external letters of ThE, and RED(leftie)
— Times for the Times
Answer
FLATTERED
Def
Worker perhaps
Type
Charade, Container
Expl
C (synonym of "caught") + INSET (synonym of "small photograph?") [container: "cutting"]; definition: "Worker perhaps"
Answer
INSECT
Def
Band of robbers
Type
Double definition
Expl
Double definition
Answer
GANG
Def
American
Type
Container
Expl
MOAN(grumble) containing NT(national organisation), on top of A, N(new)
— Times for the Times
Answer
MONTANAN
Def
derelict
Type
Charade
Expl
RAM (synonym="stuff") + SHACK (synonym="shed") + LE (synonym="LE") = RAMSHACKLE; definition: "derelict"
Answer
RAMSHACKLE
Type
Charade
Expl
GI(soldier) and LANCE(weapon) after V(very), I(one)
— Times for the Times
Answer
VIGILANCE
Def
Noted player
Type
Container
Expl
MU (synonym="Greek character") + SIC (synonym="as such") + IAN (synonym="Scotsman") = MUSICIAN; definition: "Noted player,"
Answer
MUSICIAN
Def
fish
Type
Container
Expl
ST (synonym="most of the disciples ended up as saints") + URGE (synonym="desire") + ON (synonym="ON") = STURGEON; definition: "fish"
Answer
STURGEON
Def
Writing
Type
Charade
Expl
IN (synonym of "popular") + KING (synonym of "monarch"); definition: "Writing"
Answer
INKING
Def
game
Expl
TEN(number), N(any number), IS
— Times for the Times
Answer
TENNIS
Def
island
Type
Homophone
Expl
sounds like WHITE(pure)
Answer
WIGHT
Def
Leisurely
Type
Double definition
Expl
and now we come to the end, and the one I am unable to explain. Since it is a two word clue it is most likely a double definition but I can’t seem to work out the link. Easy can mean to stop rowing, so there could be a marine connection. I thought maybe EASY was a slang for pot, but can’t seem to confirm that. Any help, I’m on all fours here…
And help came in the comments – reefer can mean midshipman, and there is a Midshipman EASY from an 1836 novel and a 1935 movie. Can’t believe it wasn’t on the tip of my tongue.
— Times for the Times
Answer
EASY