A new crossword puzzle, numbered 17,588, offers a variety of challenging clues for puzzle enthusiasts. Available both online and via a PDF download, this crossword features a balanced mix of 23 clues across and down, demanding a good range of vocabulary and knowledge.
Across Clues
Starting with across clues, we have a hi-tech phrase with a format of 5-3 letters at 1-across. At 5-across, the puzzle requests a 4-letter word for “Surgery cleaner?”. The baby dove clue at 9-across requires a 5-letter answer. A 7-letter word is needed for the 10-across clue, “Unauthorised”. At 11-across, a 6-6 letter phrase for “Showiness” needs solving.
For 13-across, there is an anagram challenge where “ale oar” must be rearranged to fit a 6-letter “Biological circle”. The 14-across description “Hush-hush” demands a 6-letter word. 17-across describes a “Person-carrying-person technique” with an 8,4 letter solution. The term “Non-nocturnal?” at 20-across seeks a 7-letter answer. Lastly, at 21-across, participants must find a 5-letter word fitting “Prey – bounty – accolade”, while the 22-across needs a 4-letter synonym for “Glare”. Ending the across section, 23-across presents another anagram with “ten relax” requiring an 8-letter solution associated with “Like some examiners”.
Down Clues
Moving to the down clues, 1-down hints at a 4-letter term for “Waisted cloth?”. A 7-letter word for “Worship” is sought at 2-down. A more complex query at 3-down asks for a 12-letter term describing “Misappropriation of funds”. The 6-letter word needed for 4-down describes a “Chalice, eg”.
Strauss’s steps are referenced in 6-down, needing a 5-letter word. Furthermore, 7-down involves “Strasbourg stick?” with an 8-letter solution required. At 8-down, solvers must find a phrase fitting “Where day suddenly turns to darkness” in 5 letters followed by 7 letters.
Subsequent queries include a 12-down “Spring bloomer” needing 8 letters, while 15-down’s “Punk” requires a 7-letter solution. The 16-down seeks a 6-letter word for “Arrival (of people or things)”. Additionally, “Make-up” is the term described in 18-down that needs a 5-letter solution, and the 19-down calls for a 4-letter word that means “Fervour”.
This puzzle presents a mixture of vocabulary tests and wordplay, catering to fans of traditional crosswords looking for a comprehensive mental challenge.
Reporting based on coverage first published by theguardian.com.