Listener Crossword 4850: Solution Notes
Counterfeit by Charybdis
Puzzle explanation
In the grid clashes, Au was rejected in favour of a different metal, making real words in both directions. The unclued entries were gold substitutes (all containing OR): SIMILOR, ORMOLU, OROIDE, ORICHALC. The 16 altered words in clues had “or” (gold) replaced by a single letter. The letters spelt “Merchant: three, two”, referring to Act 3, scene 2 in The Merchant of Venice, where Bassanio rejects a gold (and a silver) casket in favour of a lead one containing “Portia’s counterfeit” (her portrait). Accordingly, in the grid GOLD was changed to LEAD, completing LEAD CASKET in a square U shape enclosing PORTIA, both highlighted.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Altered word | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across | |||
| 1 | AGED | (GAME + D) * − M | |
| 6 | (M)illion | CREPANCE | C in (PRANCE * + ME − M) |
| 11 | LIGNIN | (a)LIGNIN(g) | |
| 13 | w(E)st | ACCURACY | CA < + CURACY |
| 15 | th(R)ough | ANTICS | TIC in ANS |
| 18 | DULSE | DUL(l) + S(trip)E | |
| 19 | Do(C) | DROOG | DR + O(pen) + GO < |
| 20 | POTATION | I in POTATO + ’N’ | |
| 21 | CONDOR | R after CONDO | |
| 22 | TEMPORE | REMOTE * around P(andemic) | |
| 23 | T(H)ose | GLIA | (bindin)G LIA(isons) |
| 24 | KAOLIN | OAK < + LIN | |
| 27 | ADDED | ADDE(r) + D | |
| 28 | CASS | CLASS − L | |
| 31 | F(A)ces | ICE | I(rish) C(rime) E(xport) |
| 32 | (N)ation’s | NETSUKE | N(ation) + SET * + UKE |
| 36 | TIN FISH | (SHIFT IN) * | |
| 37 | Min(T) | ITEM | (MINT + E) * − N |
| 39 | SAUBAS | SAUNAS with B for N | |
| 40 | UNGAUGED | GAUGE in UND | |
| 41 | lo(T) | EXTOL | EX + LOT < |
| 42 | MOUSE | MO + USE | |
| 43 | DORMANCY | MANC in DORY | |
| Down | |||
| 1 | ASGARD | A + DRAGS < | |
| 2 | GINN | GIN + N(oyau) | |
| 3 | (H)ate | EMOTIONS | E + MOTIONS |
| 4 | DIXI | DIXI(e) | |
| 5 | BLACK GOLD | (LACK + G(enerated)) in BOLD | |
| 6 | sh(R)ed | COAST | (A SCOT) * |
| 7 | EUCRITE | homophone of (UKE + RIGHT); ref. 32ac | |
| 8 | PLUMDAMAS | PLUS around (A(lcohol) in MDMA) | |
| 9 | AIR | FAIR − F | |
| 10 | CAUCUS | CAUCASIAN − ASIAN + US | |
| 12 | n(E)thermost | GALLIO | GALLIO(t) |
| 14 | COROT | COOT around R | |
| 16 | DENE | DEN + E(xplorers) | |
| 17 | DODGES | DOGES around D | |
| 20 | PRICKLED | PICKLED around (bee)R | |
| 21 | C(E)e’s | CRANIUM | C + (u)RANIUM |
| 25 | s(T)rowing | LISBON | (g)OBLINS * |
| 26 | NEVSKY | VEN < + SKY | |
| 29 | SAUGER | ARGUES * | |
| 30 | CICUTA | CIA around CUT | |
| 33 | TEGU | (in)TEGU(ment) | |
| 34 | po(W)er | URGE | PURGE − P |
| 35 | c(O)ded | EDDO | (c)ODED * |
| 38 | MAGS | 2 meanings | |