Skip to main content

Gemini Cryptic 7014

Here is my analysis of the Gemini Cryptic Crossword from Monday 16 June edition of The Canberra Times. The definition is underlined (except in cryptic definition and double definition clues).

Cryptic crosswordACROSS

1. Philanthropists throwing coins in the water? (4-7) WELL-WISHERS
Cryptic definition.

9. A support this returned is appropriate (7) = APROPOS
A charade clue with a reversal — A + PROP (support) + OS (this returned = SO reversed).

10. A moss-strewn island of Greece (5) = SAMOS
Anagram (strewn) of a moss.

11. Misfortunes we keep well away from (4) = ILLS
Cryptic definition. We keep well by staying away from ills!

12. Agreeable countryman about fifty (8) = PLEASANT
Container clue — PEASANT (countryman) gets put about (or around) L (fifty, in Roman numerals).

14. Take some back to quarters (6) = ENTRAP
Reversal and charade. Some (PART) goes back to become TRAP. And it also goes on the back of quarters = EN (east and north).

16. Very much the opposite (6) = LITTLE
Cryptic definition. The opposite of very much.

 18. Agree to fight the case (8) = MATCHBOX
Charade. Agree can be a verb meaning MATCH, and fight = BOX (also as a verb).

19. Prune spruce (4) = TRIM
Double definition. They're not really completely different meanings of the word, though.

22. Find answer to love's torment (5) = SOLVE
Anagram of loves, indicated by torment.

 23. Little Sarah always gets in a few (7) = SEVERAL
Container. A little or short version of Sarah = SAL (although I don't know of any Sarahs who use Sal as a nickname — I've always thought Sal as a short version of Sally. Anyway. I'm sure they exist somewhere!) So, always gets in means EVER is put inside SAL. SEVERAL.

24. Giveaway merchants who don't want custom? (4,7) = FREE TRADERS
Cryptic definition.


DOWN

2. Record membership (5) = ENROL
Double definition, of sorts.

3. They may part with a smile (4) = LIPS
Cryptic definition.

4. Offence committed in sunlit setting (6) = INSULT
Anagram of sunlit, indicated by setting.

 5. I can ship out from Spain (8) = HISPANIC
Anagram of I can ship, indicated by out.

 6. Fierce sheep starts to breathe heavily (7) = RAMPANT
Charade. RAM = sheep, and PANT = starts to breathe heavily.

7. For him it's mostly filling in time at work (11) = TAXIDERMIST
Cryptic definition. These can be hard to get until you have more letters filled in, in the grid.

8. Mother sails out in signs of similar weather (11) = ISOTHERMALS
Anagram of mother sails, indicated by out.

 13. Fabric obtained for ready money only (8) = CASHMERE
Charade. CASH (ready money) + MERE (only).

15. In France you change later for protection (7) = TUTELAR
Charade + anagram. You, in France = TU. An anagram of later (indicated by change) = TELAR. I wasn't familiar with this word: TUTELAR is an adjective meaning 'serving as a protector, guardian or patron'. I'm not sure the form of the word protection is strictly correct here, as that's the noun form, and strictly speaking, it ought to be an adjective, the same as the answer.

17. Cat lands us in more trouble (6) = MOUSER
Container + anagram. Put us inside (in) an anagram (trouble) of more.

20. Two kings embracing are not seen so often (5) = RARER
Container. Two kings indicates two abbreviations for kings, R (Latin for king = Rex), in this case. And they're embracing, or going around, are, which is in the clear = R(ARE)R.

21. Keen to upset a singer (4) = AVID
Reversal. A singer might be a DIVA. And when upset, or reversed, this gives us AVID.

How did you get on?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

American vs British crosswords

American and British crosswords. Is there a difference? The short answer is HELL YES! Now for the long answer ... There are major differences between American-style and British-style crosswords (which are seen in Commonwealth countries too).  Crosswords were started by Arthur Wynne in 1913, a British man who lived in America, so both countries claim a close connection with the development of this popular puzzle. They developed in slightly different directions in each country, which has led to the varieties we see today. American-style crosswords are almost exclusively published in America, while British-style crosswords have spread through the Commonwealth — Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and other English-speaking nations tend to prefer this variety of the puzzle, as well as the United Kingdom, of course. A quick look at these grids will show you the most obvious difference between the two varieties : British-style Not...
5 comments
Read more

Lesson 2: Anagrams

One thing it's important to do with cryptic clues is to ignore the surface reading! The surface is the sense you get when reading a clue for the first time, the mental image it brings up. Apart from some very rare clue types, this is only going to lead you astray. What's vitally important to do is to read each clue, word by word, looking for the hidden meaning. Also, there are a few important things to note with the definition part of clues. Firstly — they will always be at the start or the end of the clue, but never in the middle (ie with bits of wordplay around them). Secondly — pinning down the definition is a major part of getting success in solving cryptic clues. And of course, once you've figured out which part is the definition, the remainder of the clue has to be the wordplay! ANAGRAMS So, on to the first of the cryptic devices that you'll find in every cryptic crossword: Anagrams! Anagrams are a very popular cryptic device, and e...
3 comments
Read more

Crosswords in other languages

The crossword was invented nearly exactly 100 years ago — yes, 2103 is its centenary! We all know that in that time it's spread throughout all English-speaking countries. But what about other countries? The answer is a resounding yes! In almost every country that I researched, they have crosswords. The forms are often a bit different from what we're used to — the grids are often non-symmetrical, 2-letter words are allowed, accented characters are often ignored, and sometimes the clues are written into the black squares. Here are some links to crossword sites from other countries, for your enjoyment. Afrikaans blokkieraaisel Part of a Chinese crossword Chinese   填字游戏 Danish  kryds og tværs Dutch  kruiswoordraadsel Finnish crosswords often include picture clues Finnish  Sanaristikko   French grids use a different numbering system French mots croises A German crossword German Kreuzworträtsel Greek ...
2 comments
Read more