Crossword

2147: Amazing performance

Each of the 22 across solutions, in clue order, contributes one unchecked letter to a two-word phrase (13,9) in Chambers 2011. This dictionary entry will enable solvers to highlight a potential victim (9,7) by (again) choosing some of the unchecked letters from fifteen across entries in the order they appear in the grid. The nine

2146: 4 ÷ 4 = 8

The unclued four-letter words can be paired in a particular way to form the remaining unclued lights (one of two words).   Across   5    Be in contact with a jock’s love-in (6) 10    Isolation of actors Chaney and Wallach by headland (10) 12    Scar on saint is something of a problem

2145: Two in a row

Unclued lights form four thematic pairs, one of which combines to form a single word.   Across   1    Working prophets allege they carry cables (14, two words) 10    Reptile in summer (5) 11    Jacket of lass in Alaska (6) 12    Problem in thatching started again (7) 16    Bones to bury beside ray-flowers (10) 20   

2144: Leonids

1D is the title of a work minus a word that is suggested by three further unclued lights. Other unclued lights include the person to whom the word refers, who is addressed in the work as ‘9’ (three words, one hyphened), and the addresser and his servant, both of whom are in disguise.   Across

2143: Revising geography

The unclued lights are broadly of a kind (33 differs from the others, though 33K would have been more appropriate, if it fitted in!). Each one Across can somehow be paired with a Down one. Elsewhere, ignore one accent.   Across   4    Reacting slowly, having felled lime-tree with ease, almost (11, hyphened) 11

Cold Comfort | 12 December 2013

Five Christmas carols (5, 6, 5, 3 and 4 words respectively) have been re-arranged, and re-titled at 23/38 (4 words), 59/54/62D/5 (4 words), 87/12/74 (4 words), 20 (5 words) and 72/46A (3 words). A sixth carol (19 letters, 4 words) has been concealed in the grid under a new title (4 words), which must be

2142: Wintry

Each of seventeen clues comprises a definition part and a hidden consecutive jumble of the answer including one extra letter. The extras spell a four-word excerpt from a quotation (in ODQ) from a translation of a work by 10 (two words).  Clues in italics consist of cryptic indications of partial answers; in each case, the

2141: Megacant

The unclued lights (all but two of two words) are of a kind, listed in Chambers 2011. Elsewhere, ignore one accent.   Across   1    Race to leave car in protected area (12, two words) 10    Regular car rides to Irish peninsula (4) 12    Able to include one opposing support (10) 14

2140: Essex Man

Our hero must be revealed by shading six cells appropriately. Four unclued lights are key words in 11s featuring the hero. Remaining unclued lights (including one of three words) each need shading appropriately to produce four further 11s (minus definite articles), each one connected to one of the previous 11s. Unchecked and cross-checking letters in

2139: Separated

Nine unclued lights can be separated into three groups; each group consists of three definitions of one of three words into which the remaining unclued light can be separated.   Across   1    Estate wild spree devastates (8) 6    Bird with tail obscured by country shrub (6) 10    Fellow, one feels sadly,

2138: Hundred centimes

The unclued lights, across and down respectively, are of a kind, all verifiable in Chambers.   Across   4 Single instruction on small firm’s photo visible to the naked eye (11) 11 Accidental but obvious choice (7) 12 Hard-hitting county fellow (6) 13 Following out, disturbed – get angry about it (9) 14 Drain away

2137: Speculation

Each of two associated words is suggested by four unclued lights (one of two words). Elsewhere, ignore an accent.   Across   1 Tending spiders dope rendered legless (11) 7 Letter goblin sent back (3) 11 Scripture lessons unite flock? (6) 13 Obeser bod perhaps in bed infected by acute respiratory disease (7) 15 I

2136: Howdunit

Six of the unclued entries (one of three words, three of two words and one hyphened; all in Chambers apart from one name; unchecked letters can spell ACTOR OR WOMEN ETC ARE CHIEF SUSPECT) share a connection which will allow the other two to be deduced.   Across   9 Apparently overdrawn, and without a

2135: Strange

The unclued lights are of a kind.   Across   1    Remains close to the co-founder of the Townswomen’s Guilds (5) 10    Willing to help prepare musical backing (11, hyphened) 15    Girl in a race to immerse boy with fragrant oil right away (8) 18    Wrung a confession out of us

2134: Mere letters

Each unclued across light can be paired with a down one (one hyphened). Each member of a pair is an anagram of a name, the two names being linked and the link being the same in each case. The title suggests a sixth such pair. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe.   Across 1 Woeful four bond

2133: FM

All except four clues contain a superfluous word each. Initial letters of these words spell the titles of four 29D by 39 (two words). The first title defines four unclued lights; the second and third titles are defined by the remaining unclued lights. The fourth title (four words) is a cryptic indication of a sequence

2132: Ricochet

The unclued Across lights, when correctly paired with the unclued Down ones, are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer.   Across 4 Deer and setters disturbed fire-arm supports (11, hyphened) 11 Bits of lava surround unfortunate one (7) 13 Valentino edited modern work (9, hyphened) 14 Wader’s support (5) 19 African Moslems’ bad sinuses (7)

2131: Present

16/17 (four words in total) is a work by 11 which suggests the remaining unclued lights. Five clues contain a redundant word; these can be rearranged to provide the twenty-two unchecked and cross-checking letters in all unclued entries.   Across   1    Take lead from better Iraqi writer (6) 5    Opposed awfully stupid ado with

2130: Elusive

Each of 23 clues comprises a definition part and a hidden consecutive jumble of the answer including one extra letter. Each of 13 clues is of the same type, but includes two extra letters, next to each other within the jumble. The extras spell a 13-word assertion (in ODQ) by an unclued light. Concealed in

2129: Dumpynose

The unclued lights, individually (each of two words), or paired, are of a specific kind, verifiable in Brewer 17th Edition revised. Ignore a diacritic in the solution at 6 Down.   Across 10 Make an impression as a sculptor? (10, three words) 12 Grim death of a harvester (6) 13 Wise men deck out, when