Just a bit of fun

Which one of our four definitions is correct?

XEBEC

1 2 3 4

Small three-masted Mediterranean vessel Having unusually jointed vertebrae Chemical compound used in vegetable growing Perfect beauty

ACROSS

Haul along the ground Ł Dull, dreary (4) Conflict, discord Ł Band of colour (6) Happening, occurrence Ł

Betting price returning double the amount (5) Nerve, confidence Ł Fight (6) Formulate, devise Ł Wrinkle (6) Memorandum Ł Treatment for stiff limbs (7) Express a view Ł Relating to sheep (5) Waste-water channel Ł Closed (curtains) (5) Revert to a former state Ł

Laments, bemoans (7)

20 — Minds, Jim Kerr’s band Ł

Extract of music used in a song (6) Boat’s steering apparatus Ł

Vibrate, jar (6)

Foundation, underlying support Ł

Desert paradise (5)

24 Member of a sports team Ł

Supplication, litany (6)

25 Light military vehicle Ł

Castle’s central tower (4) 1 5 8

9 10 11 13 15 17 21 23

DOWN

Each clue leads to two answers which differ from each other by one letter. You must decide which is the correct one.

For example, the two possible answers to 10A are CREATE and CREASE — the answer to 7D will reveal which one is correct. Solutions in Monday’s Daily Mirror

Discuss, argue Ł

Refund, discount (6)

Trounce Ł Boyfriend (4)

Income Ł

— of the Sith, Star Wars film (7)

Grim, desolate Ł Ordered pile (5) Telephone part that contains the earpiece Ł One who misleads (8)

Salesman’s persuasive talk Ł

Wooden clog or sandal (6)

Indoor footwear Ł

— slope, course of action leading to failure (8) Closest at hand Ł

Most tidy (7)

Bookworm Ł Frontrunner (6)

Slimy mud Ł

Frame for travelling over snow (6) Image of a bird or animal used to lure game Ł Interior design features (5)

22 Twilight Ł

Dip (a biscuit) into tea (4) 2

3 4

5 6

7 12 14

16 18

19