THE GIANT CROSSWORD
CRYPTIC CLUES
ACROSS
13 Determination is again the answer (10) 14 Little bit of lettuce? No, it’s a piece of paper (7) 15 Large cloche protecting a plant (6) 16 Classifies as ‘Good reads. Funny’ (6) 17 Ian chucked back fish after catching (7) 18 Cat with fifteen others in the pound (5) 19 It’s up early — for the dawn chorus? (4) 20 Is there one of ice under the blanket of snow? (5) 21 Force to make simple alteration: small deletion (5) 22 Salad ingredient from a platter on the right (6) 23 Quick answer to ‘Will it be available at the draper’s?’ (5) 28 The number, next, is wrongly divided by a quarter (7) 30 Caught a hint let slip and I produce wine (7) 33 Having had the raffle, had left (9) 36 Digress about and we’re not allowed to finish (6) 38 As before, a gap in, when page has been removed (5) 39 Picture showing two pupils. It’s back to front (5) 40 Proposal that’s made as a gesture (6) 42 Write before new year to get a little money (5) 43 They are stingy, which is irritating (7) 44 Rub out the figure: clean out (6) 46 Only a little part for an actor — but it is a job (4) 49 Help! Half the A to Z is missing! (4) 51 Weak half of bitter, means to imbibe (6) 53 He’s pragmatic, true. It’s unusual (7) 55 Because, at start of season, Nice is bustling (5) 59 The shutter is heavier (6) 60 Ring and be connected with a girl (5) 61 I have me, all round, a good public persona (5) 62 Equally convinced by guarantee (6) 63 Money of which finders are keepers? (6,3) 65 It reminds me to provide accommodation for the men (7) 66 A less plain synonym for ‘breeder’ (7) 70 Will do to get the game started (5) 71 Turns back after a second to the bigwig (6) 73 In the air, a venturesome flier (5) 75 Squander time, as we dither about (5) 80 It’s round, chum, and iridescent (4) 82 I left it here but it’s not here (5) 83 Plus slicing into middle of creek when you drive off (7) 84 Forcing mother to take the card (6) 85 Concealed a number, over time (6) 86 Mean to say, the time after (7) 87 Worked hard for, we d-discovered (4,6)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
13 Determination (10) 14 Pamphlet (7) 15 Three-leafed plant (6) 16 Classifies (6) 17 Catching (7) 18 Weight (5) 19 Songbird (4) 20 Bed linen (5) 21 Force (5) 22 Vegetable (6) 23 Fabric (5) 28 XVI (7) 30 Italian wine (7) 33 Left (9) 36 Roam (6) 38 Once more (5) 39 Film photograph (5) 40 Movement (6) 42 Coin (5) 43 Stinging weeds (7) 44 Obliterate (6) 46 Occupation (4) 49 Help (4) 51 Diluted (6) 53 Pragmatist (7) 55 Because (5) 59 Nearer (6) 60 Evergreen tree (5) 61 Public persona (5) 62 Guarantee (6) 63 Investigation charge (6,3) 65 Souvenir (7) 66 More ornate (7) 70 Dish up (5) 71 Twirls (6) 73 Black bird (5) 75 Squander (5) 80 Gem (4) 82 In that place (5) 83 Drive back (7) 84 Forcing (6) 85 Concealed (6) 86 Usual (7) 87 Worked hard for (4,6)
DOWN
1 Shortage (6) 2 Lack of courage (4,4) 3 Explosion (5) 4 Celebrity (3,4) 5 Punctual (2,4) 6 Obvious (5) 7 Risk (6) 8 Nuts (7) 9 Complete halt (10) 10 Hurts (5) 11 Adherent (8) 12 Fruit (4) 24 Information (3-4) 25 Listens to (5) 26 Proved unforgettable (7) 27 Walk clumsily (7) 29 Angry (5) 31 Cardiac (5) 32 Nonsense (4) 34 Inventor’s licence (6) 35 Travel permit (4) 37 Means (7) 41 Agrees (7) 45 Tropical nut tree (6) 47 Darkcomplexioned (7) 48 Gave up work (7) 50 Take as true (7) 52 Spoil (4) 54 Smallest (5) 56 Swear word (5) 57 At this point (4) 58 Lettuce, etc (5) 60 Eventually (3,4,3) 64 Gun (8) 67 Mad (slang) (8) 68 Reduced height (7) 69 Shows (7) 72 Shout (6) 74 Permits (6) 76 Bronzed (6) 77 Announce (5) 78 Chose (5) 79 Traffic light (5) 81 Conspiracy (4)
DOWN
1 Deficiency resulting in dead planet (6) 2 After paddling, why the fear of plunging in? (4,4) 3 The explosion had broken right into (5) 4 Am ushered inside, being mistaken for celebrity (3,4) 5 Have I not trained myself to be punctual? (2,4) 6 In sketch one, is very clear (5) 7 Risk of losing head, manically enraged (6) 8 On day, handouts are brought round — nuts (7) 9 Doesn’t sit until there’s no movement whatsoever (10) 10 Catching hard ones hurts (5) 11 He’s not the first to become a devotee (8) 12 At top end are cooked fruit (4) 24 Information one has to dig deep to get? (3-4) 25 Listens to for hour, with listening devices (5) 26 Silly tune in had proved unforgettable (7) 27 Lumber off for quiet walk (7) 29 Furious, I administer scolding (5) 31 Courage is a vital necessity (5) 32 Told this, one should keep mum? Nonsense! (4) 34 It makes clear your brainchild is not up for grabs (6) 35 Because I figure on returning, getting travel permit (4) 37 Means to attack Ed coming back (7) 41 Everyone binds about, but agrees (7) 45 Squawk from bird when she feeds it nut (6) 47 Dark-skinned and shy, concealing a facial blemish (7) 48 Went to bed again, weary (7) 50 Think to be fiction. Very exciting start (7) 52 Spoil the sequence, inserting one (4) 54 The smallest is a litre and a quarter (5) 56 Damn cold — sure you bundle up! (5) 57 In the rear at this point (4) 58 Daughter, unfortunately, is back on diet food (5) 60 Eventually, a little good news from the met man (3,4,3) 64 Does one go round shooting at things? (8) 67 Are they mad to get at the safe? (8) 68 The old huddled outside were depressed (7) 69 Shows Eastern carved salver on the cover (7) 72 A very funny way to show fear (6) 74 Large loophole in laws wrongly permits (6) 76 Browned off, having been beaten (6) 77 Say Protestants have had a change of heart (5) 78 Chose strange pet. Dog, tailless (5) 79 Be a gentleman, holding the light (5) 81 A conspiracy story? (4)