Nothing too controversial in this Friday's offering, and for once the number (22a) was a number and not something that numbs!
Thank you to Tracy.
Thank you to Tracy.
| Across | |
| 1 | Defend comic, pro: STAND UP FOR Comic = stand-up, pro (in favour of) = FOR |
| 8 | Forbid one to leave subdued ceremonial dinner: BANQUET Forbid = BAN, subdued = QUIET, one leaving gives QU(i)ET |
| 9 | Colour Morecambe rock contains: AMBER Hidden word |
| 10 | Employed American editor: USED American = US, editor = ED |
| 11 | Just released, with nitrogen in mixture: BRAND NEW With = AND, nitrogen = N, all inside mixture = BREW |
| 13 | Doctor reversed Conservative’s fungal disease: DRY ROT Doctor = DR, Conservative = TORY, reversed = YROT |
| 14 | United picked up after losing opener: ALLIED Picked up = RALLIED, losing opener =(r)ALLIED |
| 17 | Go round more than is usual, and surrender: ROLL OVER Go round = ROLL, more than is usual = OVER |
| 19 | FightPole: SPAR Double definition |
| 21 | At no time lost nerve: NEVER Anagram (lost) of NERVE |
| 22 | Number imbibing drop of sherry, dry: THIRSTY Number = THIRTY, including drop of sherry = S |
| 23 | Type of novel unusual for Maclean: ROMAN A CLEF Anagram (unusual) of FOR MACLEAN, an &lit clue |
| Down | |
| 2 | Attempt to employ girl where leather is processed: TANNERY Attempt = TRY, including girl = ANNE |
| 3 | Part of speech some denounced: NOUN Hidden word |
| 4 | Winning spin, a boost: UPTURN Winning = UP, spin = TURN |
| 5 | Cloths for trousers: FLANNELS Double definition |
| 6 | Steal from popular boy: ROBIN Steal from = ROB, popular = IN |
| 7 | China’s top horse race: CROWN DERBY Top = CROWN, horse race = DERBY |
| 8 | Making a mistake below, wearing conspicuous jewellery: BLUNDERING Beneath = UNDER, wearing conspicuous jewellery = BLING |
| 12 | Man with groom redesigned design embroidered on clothing: MONOGRAM Anagram (redesigned) of MAN and GROOM |
| 15 | Deadlock that is broken by politician, fool: IMPASSE That is = IE, with politician = MP, fool = ASS inside |
| 16 | Church caretaker attacked carrying cross: SEXTON Attacked = SET ON, carrying cross = X |
| 18 | Organ, as it happens, last of tour: LIVER As it happens = LIVE, last of tour = touR |
| 20 | Record find? Not half!: DISC Find not half = DISC(over) |