moreMenu

Nov mini cryptic 1

◆ · By n0hk · Published 2021-11-01T05:56:28.672Z

I'm going to try write a cryptic mini a day throughout November, an early advent calendar of sorts?

Let's see how often I can keep it up, and how much coal I end up giving you.

1A Def The cover of the night Wordplay Anagram devout with the 'o' missing

5A Def Exist Wordplay Remove end letters of dares

6A Def Temper Wordplay Hidden in doggerel axle

8A Def A letter to the Greeks Wordplay 'T' + Au (to in French)

9A Def Casseroles Wordplay Sts (ways) around middle of brewed

1D Def Races Wordplay Cryptic double-def, thrown darts typically target 60 in the game darts

2D Def Service Wordplay Anagram unviable without nib

3D Def Many years Wordplay reverse are

4D Def Narratives Wordplay TTs around 'ex'

7D Def Get stuck into Wordplay Reverse travel & take regular letters

Checking for previous play data...

mondestrunken 🤓4:12 · 2021-11-01T11:31:15.589Z
very fun! enjoyed a lot!! 8A was my personal fave
- BJ constructor · 2021-11-01T20:02:05.636Z
  1A and 8A were the best by a mile to me, 1D and 5A the softest. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Mike D 🤓2:34 · 2021-11-01T12:19:09.890Z
Very nice! I'm excited to improve my cryptic skills this month!

I referred back to your helpers a couple of times for this one - maybe by the end of the month I won't need them
- BJ constructor · 2021-11-01T20:04:09.486Z
  2:34 is a good time, too!
  
  Some of the clues would have been hard to parse (understand the wordplay of) from first blush. 2D is probably veering dangerously close to a substitution anagram; which is a bit dirty.
JeffPrug 🤓1:23 · 2021-11-02T04:00:15.075Z
Progress for me, I was able to get ARE, ERA, RELAX before referring to the helpers. 1A and 2D were clever in hindsight!
- BJ constructor · 2021-11-02T06:31:20.100Z
  Nice progress!
  
  I was kinda laughing at the grid having both are and era; but it seemed like it'd be a bit heavy-handed to have them refer to each other like that. Thanks! I was proud of them, even if 2D is of questionable validity.

Devout, no love animated the cover of night (5)

Across

Down