Know The Independent's Cryptic Crossword Answers (April 3, 2024)
by J Divya | Updated Apr 03, 2024
Are you a fan of The Independent's Cryptic Crossword? Here is today’s clue. This Crossword is difficult to crack and that’s why it is loved by many because it helps us to improve our skills. So, take your time and try to solve the clues. We are here to help you.
Guard caught bird of prey, covering head(6)
Answer: CAPTOR
The clue suggests a situation involving a guard catching a bird of prey while covering its head. "CAPTOR" is the appropriate answer as it refers to someone who catches or captures another person or animal, often by overcoming their defenses or evading their awareness
Charming king ignored by mountain climber(5,3)
Answer: SWEETPEA
The clue indicates a mountain climber ignoring a king who is charming. "SWEETPEA" is the appropriate answer, which refers to a type of flowering plant known for its charming appearance, but in this context, it's used as a wordplay involving "sweet" (charming) and "pea" (king ignored by a mountain climber).
Dance throughout arrest, one day only(9)
Answer: ROUNDELAY
The clue suggests a dance occurring throughout an arrest, limited to one day only. "ROUNDELAY" is the appropriate answer, which refers to a type of medieval song or dance characterized by its circular movement or repetitive structure.
Excited by love galore(1,4)
Answer: AGOGO
The clue indicates being excited by an abundance of love. "AGOGO" is the appropriate answer, which means being full of excitement or enthusiasm, often used in the phrase "agog" to describe someone eagerly awaiting something.
Surprisingly moral and creditable politician(7,8)
Answer: LIBERALDEMORAT
The clue suggests a politician who is unexpectedly moral and creditable. "LIBERAL DEMORAT" is the appropriate answer, which is a humorous play on words combining "liberal" and "Democrat," two political terms, to create a fictitious political party name.
Metal charm found in Northern Ireland? I'm not sure(7)
Answer: NIOBIUM
metal charm found in Northern Ireland, with uncertainty implied by "I'm not sure." "NIOBIUM" is the appropriate answer, which is a chemical element often used in the manufacturing of jewelry and other charms. The wordplay involves "NI" (the chemical symbol for nickel, which is found in Northern Ireland) and "I'm not sure" hinting at "obium" to form "NIOBIUM."
Save uniform for one to steal fruit (6)
Answer: SCRUMP
The clue suggests saving a uniform for someone to steal fruit, indicating an act of theft. "SCRUMP" is the appropriate answer, which is a slang term meaning to steal fruit, especially from someone else's orchard or garden. The wordplay involves "scr" (abbreviation for save), "u" (uniform), and "mp" (one to steal) forming "SCRUMP."
Dicky asks about a new home for Dorothy?(6)
Answer: KANSAS
Dicky asking about a new home for Dorothy, hinting at a famous location from "The Wizard of Oz." "KANSAS" is the appropriate answer, which is the state in the United States where Dorothy's home is located in the story.
Endorsement about revolutionary place to play organs(7)
Answer: VISCERA
Endorsement (advertisement) about a revolutionary place to play organs, indicating a body part. "VISCERA" is the appropriate answer, which refers to the internal organs of the body, including the heart, lungs, liver, and intestines. The wordplay involves "ad" (endorsement) reversed (about) and "a revolutionary place" (VISCERA) to play organs.
I treat tender surgeries?(10,5)
Answer: REGISTERED NURSE
Treats tender surgeries, hinting at a medical professional. "REGISTERED NURSE" is the appropriate answer, which refers to a healthcare professional who provides direct care to patients, including assisting with surgeries. The wordplay involves "I treat" (REGISTERED NURSE) and "tender surgeries" indicating the role of a nurse in providing care.
The first season in the UK women scored for football club(5)
Answer: INTER
The clue suggests the first season in the UK, with women scoring for a football club. "INTER" is the appropriate answer, which is a football club based in Milan, Italy, but has historical connections with British ownership. The wordplay involves "IN" (first season) and "women scored" (inter) to form "INTER."
Put restriction on funds of jewellery dealer(4-5)
Answer: RINGFENCE
The phrase "restriction on funds of jewellery dealer" suggests a term related to finances and protection. In financial contexts, to "ringfence" funds means to set them aside or protect them from being used for other purposes. This term is particularly applicable to businesses like jewellery dealers who may need to segregate funds for specific purposes such as investments or operational expenses.
Mon Oncle's lead gets Broadway award for routine(8)
Answer: MONOTONY
The clue "Mon Oncle's lead gets Broadway award for routine" contains a play on words. "Mon Oncle" is a French film directed by Jacques Tati. Taking the initial letters of "Mon Oncle" gives us "M" and "O". When these letters are followed by "Tony" (Broadway award), we get "MONOTONY," which means a lack of variation or a dull routine, fitting the theme of the clue referencing a routine.
Quietly film actor?(6)
Answer: PLAYER
"Quietly film actor?" hints at a word that means an actor in a movie, but the wordplay involves adding "P" (short for "quietly" as in "piano" in music notation) to the word "layer" to form "PLAYER." The question mark suggests that "Quietly" is being used as a hint to find a synonym for silent, which is "p," leading to "player."
Motor track encircles old station, in the main(8)
Answer: CAROLINE
Motor track encircles old station, in the main" requires a word meaning a woman's name that can be formed by "motor track" (CAR) surrounding "old station" (LIONE). Putting these together, we get "CAROLINE," which is a woman's name
Heavy weight of fruit picked up(5)
Answer: PLUMB
"Heavy weight of fruit picked up" indicates a word for a heavy object that is also a homonym for a term related to fruit. In this case, "plumb" means both a weight (as in a plumb bob used by carpenters) and a type of fruit. The clue suggests the double meaning, leading to "PLUMB" as the answer.
Hospital workers demand statements from Boris?(9)
Answer: ORDERLIES
"Hospital workers demand statements from Boris?" suggests a term related to hospital staff. "Orderlies" are workers in a hospital who assist patients and perform various tasks. In the clue, "Boris" could refer to Boris Johnson, and "statements" hint at "orders" or instructions. Thus, "orderlies" fit the clue, but it's humorously twisted by implying that Boris Johnson is giving statements to hospital workers
Cautious head ignoring answer's sardonic humour(7)
Answer: WRYNESS
"Cautious head ignoring answer's sardonic humour" indicates a word for a type of humor. "Wryness" fits this description, meaning humor that is dryly mocking or sarcastic. In the clue, "Cautious head" suggests removing the first letter of "answer" (A), leaving "NSWER," and then combining it with "sardonic humour" to get "WRYNESS."
Operator conceals erotic inspiration-(5)
Answer: ERATO
"Operator conceals erotic inspiration" suggests a term related to inspiration or creativity. In Greek mythology, "Erato" is one of the Muses, associated with love poetry and erotic literature. The clue plays on the idea of an operator (someone who operates or controls something) concealing (hiding) the word "EROTIC" to form "ERATO."
Expert on game reveres Alison Mitchell's masterful elucidation, primarily, in Test Match Special?(9)
Answer: PROGRAMME
"Expert on game reveres Alison Mitchell's masterful elucidation, primarily, in Test Match Special?" hints at a term related to broadcasting or commentary, specifically in sports. "Programme" fits this description, referring to the detailed plan or schedule for a particular event or broadcast. The clue suggests combining "PRO" (expert) with "RAM" (reverses "Alison Mitchell's masterful elucidation, primarily") and adding "ME" (in Test Match Special).
Prematurely terminates fake Kazakh's advance to the top(6)
Answer: ABORTS
"Prematurely terminates fake Kazakh's advance to the top" suggests a term related to ending something prematurely. "Aborts" fits this description, meaning to terminate or end something prematurely. In the clue, "fake Kazakh" suggests removing the first letter from "Kazakh" (K), leaving "AZAKH," and then combining it with "advance to the top" (TOPS) to get "ABORTS."
American visiting prostitutes returned for obstacle race(6)
Answer: SLALOM
American visiting prostitutes returned for obstacle race" suggests a term related to a type of skiing event. "Slalom" fits this description, as it is an obstacle race in skiing. In the clue, "American" (A) is visiting or inside "prostitutes" (LOMS reversed), giving us "SLALOM."
Ginger individual Oscar managed stomach pain regularly(5-4)
Answer: ORANGUTAN
"Ginger individual Oscar managed stomach pain regularly" hints at a type of animal. "Orangutan" fits this description, as it is a species of great ape with reddish-brown hair. The wordplay involves taking the letters from "Oscar managed" (the odd letters from the phrase) and adding "stomach pain regularly" (alternating letters from "stomach pain")
High rent fuels hurt(9)
Answer: RESENTFUL
"High rent fuels hurt" suggests a term related to feelings of bitterness or anger. "Resentful" fits this description, meaning feeling or expressing bitterness or indignation at being treated unfairly. In the clue, "rent" (RENT) is followed by "fuels hurt" (suggesting adding "FUL") to get "RESENTFUL."
Timeless achievement shown in crime film(4,4)
Answer: CAPEFEAR
The clue "Timeless achievement shown in crime film" hints at a famous movie title. "Cape Fear" is a well-known crime film. The clue suggests that "Timeless achievement" (CAPE) is "shown" (FEAR), forming "CAPEFEAR."
Admit to office son gets tiresome briefly(5,2)
Answer: SWEARIN
The clue "Admit to office son gets tiresome briefly" suggests a term related to induction into a position of authority. "Swear in" fits this description, meaning to officially take an oath upon entering an office or position. In the clue, "son" (S) is inserted into "wear" (WEARIN), giving us "SWEARIN." The word "tiresome briefly" hints at removing the last letter from "weariness" (tiresome).
Austrian city repulsed future queen?(6)
Answer: VIENNA
Austrian city repulsed future queen?" suggests a city in Austria. "Vienna" fits this description, being the capital city of Austria. The word "repulsed" indicates that the word for "future queen" (ANNE) is reversed, giving us "VIENNA."
It's rum, is rum!(6)
Answer: TRUISN
"It's rum, is rum!" suggests a term related to a self-evident truth or a cliché. "Truism" fits this description, as it means a statement that is obviously true and often overused. In the clue, "rum" is repeated, indicating that it's true or "tru," resulting in "TRUISM."
Fish found in overturned waterproof sheets(5)
Answer: SPRAT
"Fish found in overturned waterproof sheets" suggests a type of fish. "Sprat" fits this description, being a small, oily fish. In the clue, "overturned" suggests reversing "tarp" (waterproof sheets), giving us "SPRA," and adding "T" to the end gives us "SPRAT."
Wanting the other currency to be supported by yen(5)
Answer: RANDY
Wanting the other currency to be supported by yen" suggests a term related to being eager or sexually aroused. "Randy" fits this description. In the clue, "currency" suggests "RAND," and "yen" is a synonym for desire or lust, resulting in "RANDY."
