Giant Genius Crossword
antico
Three unclued entries (one consisting of three words, and two consisting of two words each) are names of characters in a seasonal 31D. Each of the seven words of these names defines or is defined by one of the other unclued entries. The 31D’s titular character’s designation appears in one row and should be highlighted.
Entries to: ‘Xmas Crossword’ by post (The Oldie, 23/31 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 7PA), email (editorial@theoldie.co.uk) by 11th January. First prize is the latest edition of the Chambers Dictionary and a cheque for £25, plus The Oldie Annual 2019 and The Best of the Oldie Cartoons
1992-2018. Two runners-up will receive cheques for £15. When you send in your entry, please let us know whether or not you are a subscriber.
Across
8 Icon’s energy, with second dance, not good (5)12 Decoration not out of order around year’s end with style (8) 13 Belief in force losing height (5) 14 Artist beside railway capturing appeal, showing uncommon quality (6) 15 Present soldier with newspaper (4) 16 When caught, finish climb (6) 18 Base novel on big French article (7) 20 More jovial judge before row (8) 21 Seabirds, number in difficulty, all around (7) 22 Projection in line with honour (4) 23 Distorted version of ship’s name (9) 25 Truce groups declared (3) 26 Greatest in Utah, doctor and saint (6) 28 Festive element avoided by copper (5) 29 Sound direct in speech (6) 31 Counter almost empty (3) 33 Severe cold in air and on ground (9) 38 Some mischief around card game (4) 39 Recruits in street in ordered lines (7) 42 Occupy one with new routine (7) 44 Assistant in Russia identified (4) 46 King and most of country keeping universal custom (6) 47 Bread soft and dry in one area (5) 48 Note about nonsense by man in court (8) 49 Tree in a small enclosure (5) 50 New trend hobo hated, getting agitated (3,3,8)
Down
1 Fish I snared at sea (7) 2 Grim rust on a neglected sports car (4,7) 3 Stalk about with editor (4) 4 Set of things for sale making fortune (3) 6 Rich cake eaten by commercial worker? (8) 7 Uniform time after end of another track (3) 10 Dancing judge terribly trite and annoying (13) 11 Jokers in short endlessly under pressure with grades (10) 17 Raised issues, omitting nothing, about right text (6) 18 Fridge compartment? Punch under that is keeping cold (6) 19 One who’s little seen in exotic habitat (4) 24 Chance to speak, for example (3) 25 Expert care conserving rocky dales in blissful region (8,4) 28 Chief dismissing one fellow (3) 30 American wagon in a corral raid damaged (8,3) 32 Polish up on study, showing responsibility (6) 34 Firm hook designed with purpose for kitchen (9) 36 Trees he climbs at regular intervals (4) 37 Ace among artists working for empress (8) 45 Stylish pipe down below river (4) 47 In favour of resistance, dividing work up (3) 48 Expression of surprise, triumph being announced (3)