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Elle Decrypted #2 (Hidden Word)

■ · By Elle · Published 2023-10-15T08:19:18.020Z

Constructor's Note
What is a "Decrypted"? For those just getting started with cryptic crosswords, half the puzzle is figuring out what instructions are in the clue. For this exercise, all of the clues will only employ a single "hidden word" device. To help demonstrate, the definition will be bolded and the device indicator will be italicized (Normally, there are no such hints, of course!). For example, Debate of guar gum enthusiasm -> ARGUMENT. n.b. I'm not an expert crossword constructor or seasoned cryptic crossword solver, please check the comments for any feedback / corrections :)
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  • Kent D 🤓2:59 · 2023-10-15T15:32:20.198Z
    Amazing! Again, don't look at my time. I like to print out puzzles like this and work with a pencil. After I got the first 5 or so Across clues things started to click. I think it took about 10 minutes to complete. I hid the completed puzzle while filling this one out and got the 3-minute time. KENDO was my biggest stumper because I was thinking of a fence in a field. I never associated kendo with fencing like with an epee, I've always associated it with just plain sword fighting. Awesome puzzle, thank you!
    • Elle constructor · 2023-10-15T19:29:01.076Z
      Thank you!
      • Elle constructor · 2023-10-15T19:42:19.835Z
        Thanks! Glad you enjoyed :)
      • Raven 6:05 · 2023-10-16T05:42:04.232Z
        If I looked at only the bold words, this made sense. All the other bits felt extraneous. I think that may be why I don’t get cryptics because the rest don’t feel like clues, just random words.
        • Elle constructor · 2023-10-16T08:45:51.673Z
          You can find the solution in the other letters if you look closely (and it may be split across words) - no need to anagram or skip letters or anything. They’re there in continuous letters
          • Elle constructor · 2023-10-16T08:47:02.534Z
            Like in the given example
            Debate of gu”ar gum ent”husiasm
            The quotes show you where to find the word argument
            • Raven 6:05 · 2023-10-17T18:12:21.648Z
              But argument could arguably be said to be a synonym of debate so the rest wasn't needed. That was my point.
              • Elle constructor · 2023-10-17T20:59:36.090Z
                Oh, right. Well the straight definitions are not always so simple, (sometimes it's "Boy" and the answer is "ollie" for example) and since not all letters are checked, the rest helps validate the unchecked letters.
          • Lego 🤓5:39 · 2023-10-16T11:41:55.086Z
            Great fun! Thanks for making it.
            • Sendhil Revuluri 🤓2:27 · 2023-10-17T01:34:08.092Z
              Thank you! Both fun in itself, and good to build my nascent cryptic skills.
              • elles gf 🤓7:38 · 2023-10-17T08:13:06.937Z
                This was fun. :3
                I should learn to read the instructions tho.
                Play today's daily mini crossword
                1A
                Diminish some tap erosion (5)
                1
                2
                3
                4
                5
                6
                7
                8
                9
                10
                11
                12
                13
                14
                15
                16
                17
                18
                19
                20
                Across
                1. 1A
                  Diminish some tap erosion (5)
                2. 4A
                  Overcooks some lunch? Arson. (5)
                3. 7A
                  Crocodile tear? Bite rival's partial judge (7)
                4. 8A
                  Increase in bad debt (3)
                5. 9A
                  Fencing partly broken doorway (5)
                6. 11A
                  Eggs of disapproval (3)
                7. 12A
                  Apartment showing is average (3)
                8. 14A
                  Veiled winks at an evil one (5)
                9. 16A
                  Miss some strong alcohol (3)
                10. 17A
                  Internet workshop demonstrates mesh (7)
                11. 19A
                  Sauce in Giuseppe's toolbox (5)
                12. 20A
                  Wanderer in Noma Dojo (5)
                Down
                1. 1D
                  Acknowledge hot Hank inside (5)
                2. 2D
                  Some Republican bar (3)
                3. 3D
                  Old, but new in top-secret room (5)
                4. 4D
                  Hidden oscar: golden burden (5)
                5. 5D
                  Adam: antisocial, partly stubborn (7)
                6. 6D
                  Gloomy in Pasadena (3)
                7. 10D
                  Fiery weapons hidden in a palm-strike (7)
                8. 13D
                  Musician buried in "Turin" gold (5)
                9. 14D
                  Extract fabric from yarns at intervals (5)
                10. 15D
                  Exposed in snake debacle (5)
                11. 16D
                  Partly aiding a prison break (3)
                12. 18D
                  Oh — military has unit (3)
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