Listener Crossword 4644: Solution Notes
Symbols by Aedites
Puzzle explanation
The 12 groups of letters in clashing cells formed the signs of the zodiac in order, as listed in Chambers, and were replaced by their conventional symbols (some common variants were accepted). The highlighted E in the centre cell stood for Earth.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|
| AMEBA | ME in ABA |
| APIARY | À + PIA + RY |
| ARABIA | AA around RABI |
| ARENA | (K)AREN A(llen) |
| ARTISTRIES | ART + IS + TRIES |
| ASHES | 2 meanings |
| ASSUAGING | PASS UP − P − P + AGING |
| ASTER | RATES * |
| BIOPICS | SUBSCRIPTION * − TURNS * |
| BLENDE | BLEND + E |
| CAUSALLY | CAU(l) + SALLY |
| CRANING | NIN(e) in CRAG |
| EDEN | (Repentanc)E (an)D (th)E (villai)N |
| ELANCE | E + LANCE |
| ELBE | (Heid)ELBE(rg) |
| EMBER | EMBER(-goose) |
| ENCIRCLE | (R + LICENCE) * |
| ENCORES | EN + CORES |
| INACCESSIBLE | (BASIL + SCIENCE) * |
| IN-BOND | INBOUND − U |
| IN THE WAY | IN-TRAY with HEW for R(eporter) |
| ITERANCE | (pol)ITER ANCE(stors) |
| LABORERS | (g)LAS(s) around BORER |
| LAP | PAL < |
| LEARNED | LEAR + NED |
| LOORDS | LOO + R(ampage) D(own) S(tairs) |
| MANUALS | M(ention) + AN(n)UALS |
| MARBLE | RAMBLE * |
| MARQUIS | MAR + QUIS |
| MUCOSA | (Ed)MU(nd) (wel)CO(mes) (reu)SA(ble) |
| NASCENCY | (C after ASCEN(t)) in NY |
| NERISSA | SIRE < in NSA |
| OBANG | O + BANG |
| PASTURAL | PAST + URAL |
| POAS | PO + AS |
| PORTIÈRES | PORES around TIER |
| PRAWN | PAWN around R(azorclam) |
| PREMIER | EM in PRIER |
| RADIOGRAPHY | RADIO + GRAPH + Y |
| SANNYASI | ABYSSINIAN * − B − I |
| SERIAL | SERAIL with AI < |
| SITARS | I in STARS |
| SOREHON | ONSHORE * |
| STEEPENED | PE(n)NE in STEED |
| STEMLESS | STEM + LESS |
| STYLES | 2 meanings |
| TAIRAS | (AIR + A) in ST < |
| TANNA | TAN + N/A |
| TESSA | ASSET < |
| UTAS | UT + AS |
| VAN | 2 meanings |
| VAPORISABLE | (ABOVE SPIRAL) * |