Double Crossword

Today ...
By The Newsroom
Published 17th May 2010, 12:30 BST
Updated 17th May 2010, 13:27 BST

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. Has started wide of the target (3,3,4)

7. Imply some begin fervently (5)

8. Secret soldier of the lowest rank (7)

10. Horticulturist garnered different crop (8)

11. Jaws? A gripping production! (4)

13. Make it possible to be lean, perhaps (6)

15. Dig 10 out that are slightly coloured (6)

17. Back prohibition by a Middle Easterner (4)

18. Something seen in boxing joint? (8)

21. To rescue back, I have to be intentionally ambiguous (7)

22. Instrument that is properly one's forte? (5)

23.Service one gets, what to do and when at a ball? (10)

Down

1. Proposal not to go on? (5)

2. Once in a way shaping? (8)

3. Funnel is one that moves in small jumps? (6)

4. Armoured protection for the post (4)

5. Bringing up to stand on own two hind legs? (7)

6. Food for unmarried people for the price of a one-way ticket? (6,4)

9. Improvement may be made in note (10)

12. Penalises play on words that is over-subtle (4-4)

14. Very hard worker under the first 10 (7)

16. Drapes made to open out (6)

19. Popular passing fancy to cause glaze to crack? (5)

20. Egghead goes after set of parts to make flier (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Hire-purchase (5-5)

7. Afterwards (5)

8. Lunacy (7)

10. Trustworthy (8)

11. Stupor (4)

13. Affront (6)

15. Guard (6)

17. Levy (4)

18. Ridicule (8)

21. Fight (7)

22. Wrong (5)

23. Defrayal (10)

Down

1. Of birth (5)

2. Unstable (8)

3. Tousle (6)

4. Purposes (4)

5. Raise (7)

6. Unselfish (10)

9. Stability (10)

12. Devote (8)

14. Muteness (7)

16. Middle (6)

19. Fool (5)

20. Thrash (4)

Friday's solutions

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CRYPTIC – Across: 7 Operative word; 8 Cloister; 9 News; 10 Divers; 12 Inrush; 14 Iguana; 16 Nature; 18 Esau; 20 Clarinet; 22 Anaesthetists. Down:1 Spelling; 2 Ermine; 3 Stet; 4 Aversion; 5 Twiner; 6 Crow; 11 Scarcity; 13 Sorrento; 15 Acumen; 17 Trivia; 19 Sand; 21 Alex.

QUICK – Across: 7 Consternation; 8 Register; 9 Flex; 10 Bitter; 12 Avenge; 14 Unwrap; 16 Haggis; 18 Drab; 20 Infernal; 22 Inconvenience. Down: 1 Comedian; 2 Assist; 3 Peat; 4 Encroach; 5 Stifle; 6 Tone; 11 Reprieve; 13 Guidance; 15 Ribbon; 17 Garner; 19 Rant; 21 Fang.