Every Cryptic Crossword clue will contain a definition or key-word
describing the answer (usually at the beginning or the end), or the whole clue will be
the definition.
Lesson-1 was about ANAGRAMS or a re-arrangement of the letters. We have seen a number of
examples. Usually, Anagram clues contain words like 'broken', 'jumbled' etc. to indicate
they are anagrams. Sometimes a clue may not have a pointer like 'What is
melting?(4)' for which the answer is 'THAW', anagram of WHAT.
Lesson-2 was about 'CHARADES, where the answer is broken into two or more
manageable parts and a clue is provided for each part, usually in the same order.
The elements may be defined directly or by the use of equivalents. We have seen a number of
examples. Another simple example is
'Editor's wife is given morning punishment with crumpled hat(7)'
Lesson-3 was about 'CONTAINERS or SPLIT WORDS, which are similar
to charades, but to get the answer that fits the definition, one part of the solution goes
inside (or outside) the other, with an indicator to alert you.Again, the elements may be defined
directly or by the use of equivalents. We have seen a number of examples. Another simple
example is
Take in the whole amount in a rough sea (6)
In the last lesson, I had given all the three types of clues leading to the same answer. Did you solve it?
Capital chaotic as then(6) (ANAGRAM)
Articles before directions for city(6) (CHARADE)
Short answer holds article for capital(6) (SPLIT WORD)
Well, the answer is ATHENS. I am sure you can work out each clue.
This month, I shall explain DELETIONS, in which the answer is arrived at by removing one or
more letters at the begiining or end of the clue. These clues usually use flags such as
"beheaded", "unbegun", and "after initial" to signal the removal of a word's first letter(s),
and flags such as "endless" and "almost" to signal removal of a word's last letter(s). As with other clues,
DELETION can be combined with ANAGRAM, CHARADE or SPLIT WORD.
Girl from Andean nation decapitated (6)= OLIVIA, which is formed from BOLIVIA [minus 1st
letter].
My wand almost magic(6)= MYSTIC (Magic), which is formed when MY STICK (CHARADE for WAND) gets truncated
Cautioned the Australian bowler at start of day (6)=WARNED (CAUTIONED), which is formed when WARNE (Australian bowler) is joined with D (first letter of Day).
I am giving all the four types of clues leading to the same answer. See if you can solve it
Tone confused for money(4) (ANAGRAM)
Negative direction for money(4) (CHARADE)
North East shortly holds to back currency(4) (SPLIT WORD)
Negative number curtailed currency(4) (DELETION)
Solution at the bottom of the page.
As usual ten clues are given below. All the clues are any one or a combination of the four types
covered so far, viz., ANAGRAM, CHARADE, CONTAINER (SPLIT WORD) and DELETION.As last time,
the TYPE OF CLUE, the KEY-WORD (which is the synonym of the solution), the
COMPONENTS of the solution and the SOLUTION will be revealed to you only if you want them by
clicking on the button to the right. Get cracking....
Drive to find shelter and gain new (8)
Skills for suit without man (4)
Officer of second-rate outfit takes a ride around (9)
What's left for instance in decorative surroundings (6)
Exaggerate about a party(6)
Only one can work out its royal change (8)
What's believed to be revolutionary in business (5)
Chance to take ring from negligent doorman (6)
Banker slim, but topless (6)
Sadly lacking a final conclusion (4)
NOTE is the solution to the clues given earlier.
1. ANAGRAM of TONE
2. NOT-E (CHARADE)
3. N-OT-E (SPLIT WORD)
4. NO-TE (NUMBER is TEN, which is curtailed)(DELETION)