Listener Crossword 4414: Solution Notes
Quads II by Shark
Puzzle explanation
The grid letters omitted from wordplay in clues spelt out FOURTH DIMENSION. After blacking out cells to form the second grid with 90-degree symmetry, it is divided into its four quadrants, each a self-contained crossword grid. Changing two letters in each quadrant then produces WIDTH, HEIGHT, LENGTH and TIME running inward from the corners.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Answer (omitted letters) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Across | ||
| 1 | FASTED | F + WASTED − W |
| 6 | SNI(T)C(H) | SNIC(k) |
| 10 | SUIT | SQUIT − Q |
| 11 | SHAY | YAHS’ < |
| 12 | (F)ADERS | READS * |
| 13 | AVAIL | AVA + IL |
| 14 | TRAT | TART < |
| 15 | SC(R)AGGED | SCAG + AGED − A |
| 16 | H(O)NSH(U) | HH around NS |
| 18 | JOHN | JOHN + NY = JOHNNY |
| 21 | STOSSES | S + TOSES around S |
| 24 | MISSI(S)H | (HISS + I’M) < |
| 28 | TING | TIN + G(ong) |
| 31 | ETALON | LATE < + ON |
| 32 | (D)E(MEN)T(I)A | ATE < |
| 33 | GOBO | GOB + O |
| 35 | SPOOT | PO in SOT |
| 36 | SIG(N)ET | SIT − T + GET |
| 37 | L(I)EN | LENDL − (D + L) |
| 38 | ETHE | (t)ETHE(r) |
| 39 | SERVER | SEVER around R |
| 40 | S(O)RELY | (cros)S + R + ELY |
| Down | ||
| 1 | FI(F)THS | SHIFT * |
| 2 | AGAR | A(sda’s) + GR around A |
| 3 | SEDANS | SANS around ED |
| 4 | TSETSES | SESTET < around S |
| 5 | DISC(U)S(S) | DISCS |
| 6 | STA(R)R | STAR |
| 7 | NAVAJOS | (SON around JAVA) < |
| 8 | (T)HIGHS | S after HIGH |
| 9 | (H)YADES | (SE(e) + DAY) < |
| 11 | SAGO | SAGOIN − IN |
| 17 | (O)BIT | B(u)I(l)T |
| 19 | NEMO | OMEN < |
| 20 | SIG(N)ORE | ORGIES * |
| 22 | THE(I)STS | THESS around (eigh)T |
| 23 | STAGGER | STAG + GER(e) |
| 24 | MO(D)ELS | MOLES with L moved down |
| 25 | SI(M)PER | ’S + I + PER |
| 26 | BLO(N)DE | B + LODE |
| 27 | KNOTTY | KNOTTY ASH − (AS + H) |
| 29 | N(E)ON | NO + N |
| 30 | OTTER | (trainsp)OTTER(s) |
| 34 | BELL | 2 meanings; ref. “clear as a bell” |