Listener 4072: The Isolated Word by Ten-Four

[midazolam]

I am glad there was no dilemmas here (which was the case for me in "A New Year Message" 2008). As with all of the year's listeners so far, the grid was fairly easy easy to fill, but the construction again is very impressive, with no ambiguity (in fact it confirms a couple of answers). 30 down, the last to solve, I liked. Plenty of early anagrams to get newbies interested. Thanks Ten-Four

[perseverer]

catstail - for one of those two answers, what you have may well fit the definition, but does it fit the wordplay?

[catstail]

Perseverer - thank you. I had my umpteenth look at 38 ac after reading your helpful comment and saw the correct answer. Another listener rule I must learn - if the wordplay does not fit, something is probably wrong.

[appledumplin]

I'm 99.9% sure I have the 8-letter word but am really not seeing how that gives the isolated word. I thought I had it but the grid then didn't help me.
Can anyone give a hint without wrecking it for others?

[Mysterons]

With Listener clues, first impressions are often very important appledumplin.

[catstail]

Have finished filling in the grid (an achievement for me). Haven't got the 8 letter word, but have just had a pdm. Trying to get this application of listener rule to obtain the isolated word without the 8 letter word. Hoping for some more pdms.

[easylistener]

What is a pdm?

[catstail]

Penny dropping moment.

[easylistener]

And appledumplin, look at the clues again bearing in mind your 8 letter word. You'll soon see it.

[easylistener]

Ah now I have a pdm!

[appledumplin]

Mysterons and Easylistener - thank you so much - I have just finished my first listener crossword after a year of trying. I've been so close on several puzzles. My new goal is to finish it without help.

[easylistener]

Don't worry appledumplin, we all need help! That's what this website is all about! Glad you got it all done though. Well done.

[catstail]

Congratulations appledumplin.

[andrewvc12]

I'm struggling with 6d and 17a. I'm not sure of the definition for 6d and 17a, whatever it starts with, doesn't appear in my Chambers (admittedly not the latest edition). Any help much appreciated. Andrew

[Clamzy]

I think that the first word but also the last half dozen or so define 6 down.
17 ac is in my Chambers and as well as defining a flowering plant also includes a whole family of common or garden flowers.

[andrewvc12]

Thanks Clamzy. Sorted it now. Andrew

[Mysterons]

6 down's definition is indeed the final 6 words, as 2 of these equals 1/8 rupee. The first 3 letters of the answer are defined by the first 6 words of the clue and 'old pound' = as

[catstail]

I think I have managed to get the isolated word (I'll call it n) despite not getting the 8 letter word. Am not sure as s436 commented on the word explaining why there where so many plurals. My solution is not related to plurals and I cannot find any related meaning between n and 29 ac despite staring at Chambers +++. Does this mean I am wrong? I have this nagging feeling that I have missed something vital (prob the 8 letter word).

[perseverer]

catstail - not sure if you have the letters for the 8 letter word, but if you haven't , tristram's post (about the fifteenth in the thread) with the following post, will confirm 7 out of the 8 clues involved. The quinapalus word matcher should get you the 8 letter word and if you look it up in Chambers, you'll eventually see why there is a reference to the number of plurals. Sorry to still be a bit cryptic but if you get to the stage where you have had enough email me - persever49 at yahoo.co.uk - and I'll try to explain.

[catstail]

Thanks Perseverer. I didn't feel happy with my answer - and you have confirmed that. Will go back to finding the 8 letter word. I thought I had found a short cut but I should have known better than expecting that from a listener crossword. Will settle in for a long evening with the chambers xword dictionary and chambers. Having got this far I will not give up easily!

[andrewvc12]

I've got the eight letter word and know what I've got to do. However I still ca't work out to of the clues, although I think I know what the answers are. Any thoughts on 9d and 23d would be appreciated. Andrew