thecrosswords

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 Sees Latin as an indispensable subject? (9) 8 She appears in an ensemble that’s rather colourless (5) 9 In piping form (7) 10 I’ll be round about one for him (6) 11 Underground caverns and springs (6) 12 Hip seams split by stress (8) 15 Tax or cheat (8) 18 Expense of electrical supply (6) 20 A trail that winds. There may be a catch in it (6) 21 Agreement to exclude profit (7) 22 Employment exchange? (5) 23A golden ruler (9)

DOWN

2 So American a composer (5) 3 Peers squeal when excited (6) 4 A cross-section of the church (8) 5 Pointlessly subject to being extravagant (6) 6 Greek character possibly seen as Oriental (7) 7 A fold perhaps in an envelope (9) 11 Be hesitant, empty and sick at heart (9) 13 Cash exchanged in pure monetary transaction (8) 14 Brown may start to fight, being tough (7) 16 Passed shuffled cards (6) 17 Chew up a thousand fish (6) 19 About to be sold, as a concern may be (5)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 Making whining complaint (9) 8 Ascent (5) 9 Advice to beware (7) 10 Four-legged reptile (6) 11 Conviction (6) 12 So to speak (2,2,4) 15 Degree of slope (8) 18 Unpretentious (6) 20 Wide street (6) 21 Model of excellence (7) 22 Contain (5) 23 Misrepresented (9)

DOWN

2 Generally accepted practice (5) 3 French impressionist (6) 4 Gloomy expression (4,4) 5 Handwriting (6) 6 Stronghold (7) 7 Compliance with orders (9) 11 Life story (9) 13 While doing the deed (2,3,3) 14 Decisive (7) 16 Hardened (6) 17 To damage (6) 19 Disconnected (5)