On the whole a Dante puzzle as we expect it to be. Easy, especially the right hand side, but pleasant.
Definitions are underlined wherever possible and/or appropriate.
| Across | ||
| 1 | SHRAPNEL |
May be fired when her plans go awry (8)
(HER PLANS)* [* = go awry] |
| 6 | TRANCE |
Nectar may produce a state of ecstasy (6)
(NECTAR)* [* = may produce] |
| 9 | ARCHER |
Bow to a lady – it’s a sign (6)
ARC (bow) + HER (a lady) |
| 10 | OCULISTS |
They examine the pupils (8)
Cryptic definition |
| 11 | SERE |
Wizened prophet in speech (4)
Homophone (‘in speech’) of: SEER (prophet) |
| 12 | ADAM’S APPLE |
Presentation of papa’s medal brings a lump to one’s throat (5,5)
(PAPA’S MEDAL)* [* = presentation of] |
| 14 | REVEREND |
Clergyman who has always to tear about (8)
REND ((to) tear) around EVER (always) |
| 16 | PIPE |
Churchwarden’s hose (4)
Double definition |
| 18 | CURE |
French priest sought in Lourdes (4)
Double definition The first definition needs an ‘accent aigu’ on the E, the second is the help some look for in the Pyrenees. |
| 19 | DUNGEONS |
Where persons may spend time underground (8)
Cryptic definition |
| 21 | CANTILEVER |
May I not revel in playing bridge, say? (10)
CAN’T I (may I not) + (REVEL)* [* = playing] |
| 22 | TEAL |
Duck leaves lake (4)
TEA (leaves) + L (lake) |
| 24 | DIVISION |
Parliamentary vote for a large military formation (8)
Double definition |
| 26 | NOVELS |
Books with opposing points about love, perhaps (6)
N,S (opposing points, North and South) around (LOVE)* [* = perhaps] |
| 27 | INLETS |
Bays, but can be silent (6)
(SILENT)* [* = can be] |
| 28 | IDEALIST |
Visionary details I put out (8)
(DETAILS I)* [* = put out] |
| Down | ||
| 2 | HORSE |
Put your towel, if not your shirt, on it (5)
Cryptic definition (or perhaps more a Double definition, for reasons brucew gives us @1) |
| 3 | ACHIEVEMENT |
The done thing (11)
(Cryptic) Definition |
| 4 | NARRATES |
Gives information which could lead to making an arrest (8)
(AN ARREST)* [* = could lead to making] |
| 5 | LEONARDO DA VINCI |
He painted, sculptured and loved in Cairo (8,2,5)
(AND LOVED IN CAIRO)* [* = sculptured] He also sculptured (and loved, most certainly). But these are words needed for the wordplay. |
| 6 | TRUISM |
Tin-opener is cutting into the drink, in fact (6)
T[in] + {IS inside RUM ((the) drink)} |
| 7 | ALI |
Egyptian name written in italics (3)
Hidden solution (‘written in’): [it] ALI [cs] |
| 8 | CATTLE PEN |
Stock-holder (6,3)
Cryptic definition |
| 13 | POP FESTIVAL |
Celebration for Father’s Day? (3,8)
Cryptic definition |
| 15 | EDUCATION |
Guidance given by leading journalist exercising caution (9)
ED (leading journalist, editor) + (CAUTION)* [* = exercising] |
| 17 | ENTRANCE |
Recent stir about an actor’s appearance (8)
(RECENT)* around AN [* = stir] |
| 20 | ALLIES |
A student tells tales but makes friends (6)
A L (student) + LIES (tells tales) |
| 23 | ATLAS |
Collected maps of African mountains (5)
Double definition |
| 25 | ICE |
Substance that is required to keep cold (3)
IE (that is) around C (cold) The definition is the clue as a whole, kind of semi-&lit. |
Thanks Dante and Sil
Indeed a pleasant solve without too many dramas – NARRATES was last in – only as a function of that’s just where I ended up. ICE was my first in.
Thought that 2d was more like a clever double definition with a cryptic twist – the towel going on the clothes horse and the shirt going on a racehorse – liked it a lot!
Almost a religious mini theme (well for Dante anyway) with 14, 16 and 18.
Only did this one today and a bit of a welcome respite this deep into the week.
Not easy for me as I couldn’t get 4d, 6d, 10a,11a, 22a and 27a
For 10a it just had to be opt to start with giving me opt?i?t? but nothing would fit.
Thanks Dante and Sil. I’ve been following Fifteensquared for some time now but I’m a working man and 8 weeks behind on the Grauniad and 3 on the FT – even further behind than Brucew@aus – so always feels too late to leave a comment.
Like many I sometimes find Dante’s bent for DDs a little bothersome but equally his puzzles can be more approachable than some.
All the same, it’s always a learning experience. New word for me was ‘sere’ and had not heard of a church warden pipe before.
Bamberger, I see you come in for some stick on occasion but keep at it.