Mike 11111 and mamyalynne here's the plot. I got the "s" from "frosty" for which the clue was
- Snowman - cold by name (6) ?r???y. I got the "r" from "aver". It's clue was - Rave over the fact as true (4) ?v??. Thanks for your interest
A solution has been suggested here (easier to keep the one thread running than start another each time, you can reply to your own questions). However the word is not in Chambers, so don't want to say yea or nay.
http://www.theanswerb...s/Question978027.html
I find that the wordnik dictionary is an excellent help; it references both the 1913 edition of Webster's and the Century Dictionary, both of which are very useful for the cryptics (archaic usages and whatnot).
Have just checked dr b's link. At first I thought that Chambers had feet of clay, but the word is clearly limited to American usage and has no place in an English crossword, so its omission is understandable.
You're right there, Mamy. As I type I find myself surrounded by Chambers, Collins-Robert French dictionary, the Oxford Russian dictionary, Smith's smaller Latin dictionary, Liddell and Scott's smaller Greek lexicon, Y Geiriadur Mawr, A Pocket Welsh dictionary and Collin's Gem Welsh dictionary. Hardly any room for the gin and the ash tray.