Independent Cryptic #12167

2025-10-07

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Change in America welcoming Republican and key symbol of Islam (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

[R (=Republican) + ESC (=key, on a keyboard)] in CENT (=change in America, i.e. coin)

5a

Thoroughfare that can be shortened by removal of lime? (6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

S <tree> T (=thoroughfare); “by removal of lime (=tree)”, what is left is “St”, the abbreviation (“can be shortened”) of “Street”!

9a

Perhaps cook the egg again after rector admitted blame (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

R (=rector) in RE-POACH (=perhaps cook the egg again)

10a

Normal nowadays English display of pomp and circumstance (6)

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12a

Get rid of clothes for all to see parasite (5)

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13a

Silliest novel about spy chief going on forever (9)

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14a

Press rubbish left unwritten (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

DRIVE <l> (=press, force, push forward; “ left (=L) unwritten” means letter “l” is dropped)

16a

Houses in a row? How one might easily draw curtains here naked (7)

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19a

Incestuous husband Opus Dei included after mix-up (7)

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21a

Happy with smoke finally clearing (5)

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23a

All drop to bust an arm and a leg (9)

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25a

Hound keeps inside church (5)

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26a

In Italy certainly sandwiches affected local seafood (6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

CAMP (=affected, in behaviour ) in SÍ (=in Italy, certainly, yes)

27a

Strange redesign I clear up (8)

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28a

Approach a concert hall? (6)

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29a

Really drunk by one bracer of the same concentration (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

SO (really, very) in [I (=one) + TONIC (=bracer, something that invigorates and strengthens)]; an isotonic energy drink contains the same concentration of salts and minerals as the human body.

Down

1d

Circumnavigate round figure in a plane (6)

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2d

Former partner hammered unravelled (9)

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3d

Shut up about every other couple in love seat (5)

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4d

Occasionally enhance magazine's cover (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

<e> N <h> A <n> C <e> (“occasionally” means alternate letters only are used) + ELLE (=magazine); a nacelle is a streamlined structure on an aircraft housing an engine, hence “cover”

6d

Tipped over dessert to wind up restaurant (9)

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7d

Avoid uplifting Cameron among others supported by Elon's capital (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

EVAD (DAVE=Cameron, among others; “uplifting” indicates vertical reversal) + E <lon> (“capital” refers to the capital, i.e. first, letter of the name, not any money!)

8d

Even smaller pollarded pine trees developed (8)

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11d

Forget about entrance to Oxford and Cambridge university (4)

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15d

I arrive on schedule you texted and improvised (9)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

I’M PROMPT (=I arrive on schedule) + U (=you texted, i.e. “you” in textspeak)

17d

Someone of mixed ancestry caught by cameras I anticipate (9)

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18d

What separates Grimsby from The Hague or Athens bizarrely (8)

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20d

Only some tale Zuckerberg's company censored (4)

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21d

Weeds possibly in Kew? (7)

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22d

Encountered wealthy husband escaping measurement system (6)

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24d

Identify fish in report (5)

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25d

Flatter cut or interleaved (5)

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