Spectator Crossword 1857

[Rapparee]

Here it is, a bit later than last week:

http://www.spectator.co.uk/article_assets/arti cledir_1151/575551/crossword.pdf

[kayakamina]

Thanks for the link.

This is one that Lezapping will surely enjoy- giveaway title and straightforward clued lights.

[midazolam]

thanks rapparee - prob the quickest spectator to complete

[Rapparee]

Wow, that was quick. I haven't started it yet myself. Maybe I can complete it during my lunch break.
I'm sure Lezapping will let us know how he is faring with it. Judging by this week's posts he did OK with Mephisto which I consider one of the tougher puzzles.

[midazolam]

saying that Rapparee - i dont own a copy of brewers - i tend to use Bartleby's version online which does not seem to contain many of these unclued words.

So I have filled the grid with what I think are the only possible answers but I may be wrong

[Rapparee]

Back from lunch and I just need to confirm 4 thematic lights when I get home. I have a Brewer's but not the latest edition but think if they're not in there should be able to research on google.

[bathtub]

Yes, it's possible without Brewer and I've just checked back to make sure. There are no other words that fit that I can find. One down clue (SE corner) threw me temporarily but a simple across solution makes it clear that an adjective rather than a proper noun is required/

[mintyman99]

I agree with others. too easy this week.

[Lezapping]

Greetings to Kayakamina and Rapparee! Yes, thanks for posting this one again! I am enjoying it immensely! It's more like what I have been accustomed to doing with the occasional tricky clue...I have been able to get about 3 of the unclued lights and this without access to Brewer ( Think I got 12a, 19d and 21d! ) Imagine! Thanks to your patient guidance and confidence in me! Somehow, I still do not see the trick in the title.
Now, I am just seeking some clues/hints for the following to complete this "easy" one!

16a: E?SE??
34a: SP??R
35a
37a: ????IT ( BE IN IT ? )
38a

2d: A????
4d: ST????E
17d: ?E?ET?????
26d: PE?????

Thanks in advance for all your help!

[Rapparee]

16a desert - dessert (afters, less s)
34a speed - 2 meanings
35a Gotha - Gothamite (New Yorker) less mite(coin)
37a in a bit
38a boulevarde - Va (Virginia) + rd( road) in boule (p�tanque)

2d amice - 2 meanings
4d startle - s (son) + tartlet (less last letter)
17d repetitive - petit (small French) in reive (rob in Scotland)
26d Bengali - anagram of Belgian

But try this site for anagrams and incomplete words:

Chambers Word Wizard

[greyfox]

Shouldn't that be Boulevards rapparee?

VA +RD in BOULES

[Rapparee]

Probably. I'm nit renowned fir my typimng skills. But now i've had a dhrink I',m OK.

[Lezapping]

Many thanks, Rapparee, for all the explanations...they all seem so obvious now...I understand them perfectly. And the title has now come quite clearly into focus...so evident and clear...I am grateful for your guidance. The practice was great! I think I agree with Greyfox about 38a...Yours was obviously a typo error!
Cheers and until Thursday again!

Incidentally I also enjoyed last week's Mephisto...great practice again! Unable to access this week's, though!

[Rapparee]

A link to Mephisto was posted about 10pm Saturday night in Crosswords

[BigMac]

Rapparee, Kayakamina, midazolam et al:

I am really stuck on 11a - an unclued light.

I'm sure you have all long since sent in your completed crosswords, but can anyone confirm that the letters I currently have are correct? Thanks in advance.

X i ? e ? a

[Rapparee]

From memory they look right to me. I'll confirm later this evening when I can look at my old working copy.

[BigMac]

Thank you very much - I don't have Brewer at home and haven't been able to get to the Library; none of my on-line dictionaries/word-finders has helped, either!

[Rapparee]

If you want, I'll give you the whole word and its definition as in Brewer's. I think the closing date for this competition is Monday, so you still have time to send it in.

[Rapparee]

BigMac

Your letters are indeed correct.

The word is defined in Brewer's simply as the Cid's bride:

Ximena

I hope you win something. Good luck!

Rapparee

[BigMac]

Many thanks, Rapparee.

I had Ximena in mind (or at least at the back of my mind)for the answer but no way of confirming it.

Thanks for the good wishes, too!