March 26, 2024: Solution to The Guardian Quick Crossword
by Dheshni
Updated Mar 26, 2024
Strengthen your brain and get the most out of your day with The Guardian Quick Crossword. This perfect size puzzle provides a daily dose of brain stimulation without taking up too much of your time. Exercise your vocabulary skills, solve clever clues, and enjoy the satisfaction of completing a grid, all in one convenient format. It’s got a punch that keeps you on the edge and entertained.
Aspect of cryptography (4-8)
Answer: CODE BREAKING
This clue refers to the practice of deciphering coded messages or breaking encryption systems, which is a fundamental aspect of cryptography.
Egg-shaped (5)
Answer: OVOID
"Ovoid" describes a shape that is similar to that of an egg, which is elongated and rounded at one end.
Caustic (7)
Answer: MORDANT
"Mordant" can mean biting or sarcastic in tone, as well as a substance used in dyeing or etching to fix color or make a surface more receptive to a dye or ink.
‘It is the ___, and Juliet is the sun.’ (4)
Answer: EAST
This is a line from William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet." The full line is "It is the east, and Juliet is the sun." Here, Romeo is expressing Juliet's brightness and importance in his life.
In truth (archaic) (8)
Answer: FORSOOTH
"Forsooth" is an archaic term meaning "in truth" or "indeed." It was commonly used in older forms of English, especially in literature such as Shakespeare's works
Officially call (to attend) (6)
Answer: SUMMON
To "summon" someone is to officially call or request their presence, often with authority or urgency. It can also imply a legal or formal obligation to attend.
Wood-cutting tool (6)
Answer: RIPSAW
A "ripsaw" is a type of saw with coarse teeth used for cutting wood along the grain.
E.g. do a salchow or a lutz (3,5)
Answer: ICESKATE
This refers to performing figure skating moves such as a "salchow" or a "lutz" on ice. Figure skating is commonly done on ice skates.
Blessing – partner of Mills (4)
Answer: BOON
"Boon" means a blessing or something beneficial. The clue also hints at "Mills and Boon," a well-known publisher of romance novels, where "Boon" is the partner of "Mills."
Buddhist beatitude (7)
Answer: NIRVANA
In Buddhism, "nirvana" represents the ultimate state of liberation and enlightenment, free from suffering and desire
Greek island (5)
Answer: CORFU
Corfu is one of the Greek islands located in the Ionian Sea, known for its beautiful beaches, rich history, and cultural significance.
Tablet enabling hieroglyphics to be deciphered (7,5)
Answer: ROSETTA STONE
The Rosetta Stone is an ancient Egyptian artifact inscribed with a decree in three scripts: hieroglyphic, Demotic, and Greek. Its discovery was crucial in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics.
American marsupial (7)
Answer: OPOSSUM
The opossum is a marsupial native to the Americas, known for its distinctive appearance and behavior, such as playing dead when threatened.
Whirlpool – cyclist Merckx (4)
Answer: EDDY
"Eddy" can mean a whirlpool or circular current, and it also refers to Eddy Merckx, a famous Belgian cyclist regarded as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.
Light-hearted film genre (6)
Answer: ROMCOM
"Romcom" is a portmanteau of "romantic comedy," referring to a genre of films characterized by their focus on romantic relationships and comedic elements.
Its first letters spell a message (8)
Answer: ACROSTIC
An acrostic is a form of writing where the first letters of each line, paragraph, or stanza spell out a word, message, or the alphabet.
Rocky Mountain state (5)
Answer: IDAHO
Idaho is a state in the northwestern United States, known for its vast wilderness areas, including the Rocky Mountains
Grow nervous (3,3,4,2)
Answer: GET THE WIND UP
"Get the wind up" is an idiomatic expression meaning to become nervous or anxious, often due to a perceived threat or impending danger.
Lucrative activity (5-7)
Answer: MONEY SPINNER
A "money spinner" is a term used to describe something, such as a business or investment, that generates a lot of profit or income.
Food seasoning (halite) (4,4)
Answer: ROCK SALT
Rock salt is a type of salt that is mined from naturally occurring deposits and is commonly used as a seasoning in cooking.
Highlander’s pouch (7)
Answer: SPORRAN
A sporran is a traditional Scottish pouch worn with Highland dress, typically by men, as part of the traditional attire such as kilts.
Layers (6)
Answer: STRATA
"Strata" refers to layers of rock or sediment deposited over time, commonly seen in geological formations
Pulls in (5)
Answer: EARNS
"Earns" means to receive money in exchange for work or services rendered. In this context, "pulls in" suggests earning income or pulling in financial resources.
Jazz singing style (4)
Answer: SCAT
"Scat" is a style of jazz singing characterized by improvised vocalizing of nonsensical syllables and wordless vocal sounds, often used to mimic musical instruments.
