Listener Crossword 3965: Solution Notes
Solitaire by Xanthippe
Puzzle explanation
Answers for the Solitaire grid were as shown in the table below. The order of peg removal (with Horizontal/Vertical direction where choice existed) was: AT, EL, T, S(V), U, OL, EM(H), DE, ME, V(H), NA, NT, RE(H), I(V), IO, L, C, L, LA(V), ES, IS, AN, CE, AR, A, RY, R, DI, AM, O, N, D(not removed).
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| KEY GRID | ||
| SENNA TEA | (SENATE about N) + A | |
| ELLA | ALLEY < – Y | |
| COLL | COOL, O replaced by L | |
| VARIOLA | VARIOUS – US + LA | |
| EGRESSES | (SS about E + SERGE) < | |
| DEMENT | MEN in DENT | |
| ANISE | ANI’S + E(AT) | |
| NOTATE | (A + T) in ETON < | |
| ELEMENTARY | (CELERY – C) about MENTA(l) | |
| SEVERANCE | SEVEN about RA + C + E | |
| ENLARGES | GENERAL’S* | |
| TALA | T(ourist) + A + LA | |
| ECUS | Hidden | |
| BLISTERY | BY about LISTER | |
| RENATA | (A TANNER) < – N | |
| REDEEM | (DEEP – P) in R.E.M.; facetious reference to rock group’s name | |
| DENE | DEE about (gree)N | |
| SOLITAIRE GRID: ACROSS | ||
| 1 | SCAM | SCAM(p) |
| 4 | TON | (s)TON(e) |
| 5 | REVELATIONAL | (A + L) after (REV + ELATION) |
| 9 | DEIL | LIED < |
| 10 | CEDAR | C(reature)E + DAR(k) |
| 11 | EMOLUMENTARY | (MOMENT about (U + L) <) in YEAR* |
| 13 | LADIES | DIE in (LAVS – V) |
| 14 | RANIS | RANK, K replaced by IS |
| SOLITAIRE GRID: DOWN | ||
| 1 | STELLULAR | TAR about (LULL + E) < after S(ky) |
| 2 | COAT | CHOCOLATE* – CHLOE* |
| 3 | AMNIOCENTESIS | (SOME INSTANCE + I)* |
| 5 | REDEEM | TREAT – THAT + MEED < |
| 6 | VIOL | VIL(e) about O |
| 7 | NADA | Hidden |
| 8 | LARRY | RALLY, R to L, L to R, L to R |
| 12 | MEDIAN | MEAN about DI |