CRYPTICS FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS - SESSION 5

Hidden clues

The word is hidden within the letters of the wordplay.

Indicators in part, partially, within, hides, conceals, some, held by.

Hint: look for words of the appropriate length within the clue

If a letter is already known, find it in the clue, and work back to the start and forward to the end.

You see, Fred, I blended something that is esculent (6)

Answer: edible

Definition: something that is esculent

Word play: you see (word hidden)

Stain some mouldy eggs (3)

Answer: dye

Definition: stain

Word Play: some "mouldy eggs"

Reversals

The word play is reversed to match the definition.

Indicators: back, reflected, turned,

An animal goes back into the jungle (3)

Answer: gnu

Definition: an animal

Word Play: goes back in "the jungle"

Astonished by a bit of condensation returning (4)

Answer: awed

Definition: Astonished

Word Play: a bit of "condensation" - returning

Odd/Even Clues

Take the odd or even letters to form the solution.

Indicators odd, even, regularly, not even, or every second

Even help Helen locate a blade (4)

Answer: epee

Definition: a blade

Word play even "help Helen"

Oddly Claude is a bounder (3)

Answer: cad

Definition: a bounder

Word play: oddly "Claude"

Deletions

Take letters out of clue to provide all or part of the solution.

Indicators: heartlessly, loses, curtailed, dropped, gives up, without

For each country finally loses uranium (3)

Answer: per

Definition: for each

Word play: country - Peru

Finally loses uranium - abbreviation u

Drake left keyboards out for these lads (4)

Answer: boys

Definition: lads

Word play "Drake" left "keyboards"

Out = anagram "ybos"

Charade clues

Charade clues are formed by joining individual clues together to create the solution.

Indicators are not necessary but joining words like "with", "follows", "behind", "after" are likely.

Setters often combine charade clues with other types of word-play.

The use of abbreviations in charade clues is very common.

Inheritor left for example with a sports supporter (7)

Answer: legatee

Definition: inheritor

Word play: "left" l "for example" eg - common abbreviations

with "a"

"sports supporter" commonly tee

Time to see one of Urania's sisters (5)

Answer: Erato (Greek goddess who often appears in Cryptics)

Definition: One of Urania's sisters (one of many goddesses)

Word play: "time" commonly era + "to"