Gemini 6270

Here's my analysis of the Gemini Crossword from The Canberra Times, Friday 1 June.

Definitions are underlined (apart from double definition and cryptic definition clues). There are several Libertarian clues in this one, so look out!

Griff as a little puppy ... he still loves this position! Super Griff!

ACROSS

1. They may blow the lights out (5) = FUSES
Cryptic definition.

4. He often resorts to a piece in colour (7) = HABITUE
Container clue. A piece = A BIT, and you put it in HUE (colour)

8. Old agreement from extremely early times (3) = YEA
Hidden word clue. Extremely early times. Times isn't really needed in this clue. From is a rather broad hidden word indicator. Thanks to m1k1 for her more accurate analysis of this clue than mine!

9. Gives up an office from a basic date (9) = ABDICATES
Another anagram clue that's missing a clear indicator! Basic date is the fodder, but there's no anagram indicator. From is not enough to tell you there's an anagram. Libertarian (or just plan badly written).

10. The late converted into the quick? (7) = ATHLETE
Anagram. The late is the fodder, and converted is the anagram indicator. 

11. Having no inclination for a palindrome (5) = LEVEL

A palindrome that has no inclination (or tilt)!

13. More distant relative we hear about (6) = FATHER
Homophone clue. I actually think this clue is incorrect. Written as it is, the thing we hear about is relative = FATHER, and the definition is more distant, which = FARTHER. However the word in the grid is FATHER, not FARTHER!

It may be deemed a Libertarian clue, I suppose (where the order of the parts of the clue can be screwed up). But I think the clue ought to run along the lines of: Relative is more distant, we hear.

15. Much time and trouble is taken in its drafting (6) = AGENDA
Charade. Much time = AGE + an anagram of AND (trouble is the anagram indicator).

18. Another name for a criminal (5) = ALIAS
Double definition, I suppose? Or cryptic definition?

19. Postal despatch means trouble in China (7) = MAILING
Container clue. Trouble = AIL, and you put it in MING (a type of China, as in porcelain). The capital letter is a bit misleading here! Just ignore it.

21. Man to speak to for capital investment (9) = HEADDRESS
Charade clue. Man = HE + speak to = ADDRESS. A rather cryptic definition here — capital = HEAD and vestment can mean a garment (archaic) = DRESS. I don't think investment can really equal vestment, though.

23. Leave the French out of the welcome (3) = AVE
The (in) French = LE, and it's out of leave, for a word that means welcome (in Latin)

24. Used by writer and poet perhaps (7) = NOTEPAD
Cryptic definition, and not all that cryptic, really.

25. People who pull strings create rows (5) = TIERS
Double definition, and a bit of a coined definition. Someone who pulls strings, or ties things can be said to be a tier (although this isn't a dictionary definition!), and a bunch of them are tiers.

DOWN

1. Rugby player is made to run to limited extent (3,4) = FLY HALF

Charade. Run to = FLY (as in "I must fly, or I'll be late!"). Limited extent = HALF.

2. Kind of western pasta (9) = SPAGHETTI

Double definition. A 'spaghetti western' is a kind of western movie, and it's also a pasta.

3. A ghost from Hades (5) = SHADE

An anagram clue (Hades is the fodder), but there isn't an anagram indicator! Libertarian, and unfair.

4. Acted evasively being naturally guarded (6) = HEDGED

Double definition, with a coined word. Your garden may be protected with a hedge, and that's a natural border, so if you're HEDGED, it could mean that you're being guarded by something natural, or being naturally guarded.

5. Combination lock in case is left undone (7) = BACKLOG

Container + anagram. An anagram of lock, indicated by combination = CKLO, in this case. Put that in another word for case  = BAG. BA(CKLO)G. Ta dah!

6. A child's drink (3) = TOT

Double definition clue,  TOT being both a little kid, and a small amount of a strong drink.

7. An unjustified picture frame (5) = EASEL 

Cryptic definition? I don't agree with this definition, an EASEL is not a picture frame. I must admit that I don't quite see how this clue works. Unjustified can mean not justified (as in typesetting), or unsupported, or baseless. Meh.

12. Justify making cat dive in (9) =VINDICATE

Anagram. Cat dive in is the fodder. Making is the anagram indicator, I suppose, but a poor one. Why not write it as something like Justify making insane cat dive in? It would work so much better!

14. Relaxed in the deep USA perhaps (5,2) = EASED UP

Anagram. Perhaps is the anagram indicator. Deep USA is the fodder.

16. Sportsmen seen at the bank (7) = ANGLERS

Cryptic definition. They're seen at the bank of the river, of course, not the financial institution!

17. Threaten one politician with death (6) = IMPEND

Charade. One = I (looks like 1). Politician = MP. Death = END.

18. A female Pole is pale (5) = ASHEN

Charade. A + SHE (female) + N (North Pole).

20. It's put in during games of tennis (5) =  INSET

Charade. During = IN + games of tennis  = SET. 

22. A small court of law (3) = ACT

Charade. A + CT (small court, as in mapping). Thanks to m1k1 for her more insightful assessment of the clue than mine!

How did you get on?