Crossword 2656

ACROSS

1 A rib that is attached directly to the breastbone (4,3) 5 Male child (3) 7 Culmination (3) 9 Happening or done in secret, behind closed doors (3,4) 10 A mother (3)

11 After School Snack (3) 12 Wedlock (9)

14 Lower in rank or position; relegate (6)

16 Of or relating to or affecting cats (6) 20 Motherhood (9)

22 Vital fluid; animating force (3) 23 Male descendant (3) 24 To worship as an idol (7) 26 Land that has been sown with grass seed (3) 27 Nevertheless (3) 28 People who pay rent in return for accommodation (7)

DOWN

1 Marie _, wax sculptor known for her figures of historical people (7)

2 To relieve oneself of secrets by telling someone (7) 3 Return Of Order (3)

4 A very attractive and wellformed girl or woman (6) 5 An attractive but unintelligent young woman (5)

6 Very pleasing to the taste (5) 8 The act of giving birth (8) 12 Motherly (9)

13 Member of a religious order (3) 15 Epoch (3)

17 Spur; encourage (7)

18 A woman who holds the rank of emperor in her own right (7)

19 Of a son or daughter (6) 20 Obscured by mist (5) 21 Belief or dogma (5) 25 Aged (3)