Times Cryptic #28785

2023-12-13

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Across

1a

Envisaged either part of iron tool (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

iron being Fe, or F E, either part is F OR E, SAW a tool. I expected the definition to be a tool, of course.

5a

Capital: something that constricts gains acquired (6)

flowerflowerflower
8a

A mixture with one left outbad luck (9)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

A, D[I]VERSITY. As mentioned above, I had it ending in E*Y for too long.

9a

Band in performance that's barely finished (5)

flowerflowerflower
11a

Festive decoration, quite neglected by wife (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

WHOLLY loses the W.

12a

Democrat's relating to nonvoters in state needing attention (9)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

D  IS (democrat’s), RE (relating to) PAIR = non-voters as in MPs paired in a House of Commons vote.

13a

Republican's opponent in solitary, mistreated (8)

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15a

Look for a second good weapon (6)

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17a

Call to stop unit returningdisgusting! (6)

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19a

Change I printed in bold (8)

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22a

What's irregular or oddly regular about one line? (9)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

I L inserted into (REGULAR)*.

23a

Company with help for speaker, often upstanding performer (5)

flowerflowerflower
24a

Salutation appropriate for John, Paul, or George, but not Ringo (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

I presume this is about the existence of St. John, St. Paul and St. George, but there is as yet no Saint Ringo. TO A S[ain]T.

25a

Record hard precious stone cut, in brief (9)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

EP (old record) H[ard], EMERAL[D].

26a

Recluse found in woman's college in Cambridge (6)

flowerflowerflower
27a

What produces growth in pupil, slow but incomplete (7)

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Down

1d

Priest carrying English carol-singer, we hear, who's very light (13)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

FATHER (priest) with E inserted, WEIGHT sounds like WAIT an old word for a carol singer or minstrel.

2d

Celebration of one side, each grabbing the other (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

R for right (one side), then EVERY (each) with L (the other side) inserted. Sorted out after the answer went in.

3d

Add water to bouquet (5)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Most bizarre couple holding hands that is separated by monarch (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

W E (partners at bridge, “holding hands”), ID EST = “that is” in Latin, insert R for monarch.

5d

Heard why I rested in bunk like some children (6)

flowerflowerflower
6d

Evangelist takes turn with person delivering letters (9)

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7d

Prepare for match maybe, running around on rising ground (7)

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10d

Like rook moves, perhaps, what's odd about king and pawn finish after I moved? (13)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

PECULIAR = odd, insert R (king) P (pawn) END (finish), remove the I.

14d

Old-fashioned computing aid to record sound of a cadence (9)

flowerflowerflower
16d

Got ready for dance she rearranged (8)

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18d

Reason for insurance being cancelled initially: too old (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

insurance is to get COVERAGE; remove the initial letter.

20d

Fish stew appearing inferior to Brit (7)

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21d

Even if competent, having change of heart over appeal (6)

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23d

Desert ship? Left having arrived earlier (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

CAME (arrived) L[eft].