This week’s Big Crossword
ACROSS 1. Arguing 9. Possibly 15. Hothouse flowers 16. Send via internet 17. Italian country house 19. Adjust 21. Public square 22. Avoid answering (question) 23. Weepy 24. ’70s dance scene 25. Ignore alarm clock (3,2) 27. … and evens 29. Flagpole 31. Man-made fibre 33. Kiosk 35. Gibes 38. Wooden box 40. Farm reservoirs 42. Declare 43. Ire 44. Avenue 46. The U of ICU 48. Privileged few 49. Moreover 50. SW Pacific nation 51. Paints roughly 53. Cheeky 55. Sterilise (female animal) 56. Enforce solitude on 58. Coagulate 61. Enthusiast 63. Adios! 65. Clambering up 69. Out of tune (3,3) 71. Nunnery boss 72. Protest sign 74. Curve 75. Foremost 76. Of numbers 77. Merrier 78. Chilled cuppa (4,3) 79. Colour 80. Endorsing 81. In one piece 84. Soak 87. Seen 91. Fool 93. Long time 94. Climbing-plant support 97. Decorative door-tapper 100. Brainwave 101. Stupefied 103. Sloping sharply 105. Egg on 106. Shipshape 107. Indian instrument 108. Midday 109. Soft French cheese 110. Worth 111. Honourable 113. Field entrance 115. Prick (boil) 117. Bargains 120. Submit (application) 122. Platters 124. The festive season 127. Gala 129. Improvise (2-3) 131. Native American dwelling 133. Comprehensive 134. Oak kernel 136. Bird of prey 137. Cow mammary gland 138. Major blood vessel 139. Duck’s mate 140. Locomotives 141. Forts 142. Thumbing backpackers
DOWN 1. Suppressed (riot) 2. Astonish 3. Give way 4. Volcanic flow 5. Lazed 6. Capricorn symbols 7. Fuel energy rating 8. Disagree 9. Sacred song 10. Warty creatures 11. Squirrel food 12. Bring from overseas 13. Oozing fluid 14. Hankered 18. Stone gods 20. Erect (tent) 26. Distributing 28. Sketches 30. Accumulate 32. Pressurised can 34. Waterless 35. Small military vehicles 36. Fit for consumption 37. Perspire 39. Wartime partner 41. Cowboy’s friend 45. Encore! 47. Lofty 49. Performs role 52. Rub to a shine 54. Monkey relatives 56. Octopus liquid 57. Subside 58. Heading on photo 59. Closest 60. Springy 62. Influences 64. Squealing 66. So-so 67. First 68. Car sheds 70. Boat 71. Was painful 73. Genetic blueprint for life (1,1,1) 75. Career athlete 82. Title 83. Invite 85. Wheat tip 86. Dollar division 88. Instruction 89. Absurdly 90. Annoyed exclamation 92. Canada’s Nova … 94. Youth 95. Loafed 96. Silver bar 98. Snooped 99. Merits 101. Night’s end 102. River-mouth land 103. Cavalry weapon 104. Garden pool 109. Nags 110. Irritated 112. Opt 114. Insignias 116. Rearward 118. Materialise 119. Becomes aware 121. Famed pacifist, Mahatma … 123. Fury 125. War hero’s gong 126. Open wounds 127. Sudden light 128. Fortune-telling pack 130. Rental contract 132. Nudge 135. Sworn promise