Crossword Challenge

This month we feature words from one of the world’s toughest crossword contests. Competitors encountered these words over eight challenging rounds in last year’s American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, an annual contest directed by Will Shortz, crossword ed

1. bugbear n. – A: petty crime. B: character flaw. C: object of dread. 2. sopor n. – A: salty taste. B: deep sleep. C: second-year student. 3. parlance n. – A: manner of speaking. B: secret meeting. C: equality. 4. prate v. – A: chatter. B: criticise. C: make a grand show. 5. bireme n. – A: ancient ship propelled by oars. B: marshy tract. C: case of illogic. 6. tiki n. – A: kitschy cocktail shaker. B: wooden or stone image of a Polynesian god. C: curry sauce. 7. weir n. – A: ghost. B: mirror image. C: dam in a stream or river. 8. ovine adj. – A: of eggs. B: of sheep. C: of grapes. 9. anathema n. – A: main topic or theme. B: total opposite. C: someone or something intensely disliked. 10. acolyte n. – A: spiritual healer. B: circle of stones. C: follower. 11. vituperate v. – A: give new life to. B: hiss like a snake. C: use harsh language. 12. lasciviously adv. – A: with lust. B: in a careless way. C: snidely. 13. tittle n. – A: dot in writing. B: small songbird. C: mob snitch. 14. auspices n. – A: flavourings. B: terms of forgiveness. C: patronage. 15. arboreal adj. – A: from the north. B: about winds. C: concerning trees.