Question 1

What does the cryptic crossword clue "Despotic writer appears before Italian heretic (13)" mean?

Accepted Answer

The definition is "Despotic". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). AUTHOR (synonym="writer") + IT (abbreviation="Italian") + ARIAN (synonym="heretic") = AUTHORITARIAN; definition: "Despotic" The answer is AUTHORITARIAN.

Question 2

What is the answer to "Despotic writer appears before Italian heretic (13)"?

Accepted Answer

The answer is AUTHORITARIAN.