Saturday, May 25, 2019 — In High Places

Introduction

Today's puzzle from Cox & Rathvon certainly has us scaling the heights..

I invite you to leave a comment to let us know how you fared with the puzzle.

Solution to Today's Puzzle

Falcon's Experience ┌────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┐ ███████████████████████████████████ └────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┘ Legend: █ - solved without assistance █ - incorrect prior to use of puzzle solving tools █ - solved with assistance from puzzle solving tools █ - solved with aid of checking letters provided by puzzle solving tools █ - solved but without fully parsing the clue █ - yet to be solved

Click here for an explanation of conventions and symbols used in explaining the parsing of clues.

The purpose of this article is to explain the conventions and symbols that I use on this blog in explaining the parsing of clues.

Legend: The following symbols are used in reviews: "*" anagram "~" sounds like "<" indicates that the preceding letters are reversed "( )" encloses contained letters "_" replaces letters that have been deleted "†" indicates that the word is present in the clue

The review of a clue takes the following general structure:

#a/d   Clue containing parsing markup (num^*)

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^* num = numeration

Explanations pertaining to the wordplay (or first definition in a double definition)

(Horizontal separator)

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Explanations pertaining to the definition (or second definition in a double definition) and solution.

Explanatory Box

An explanatory box provides additional information about the clue. In most cases this information will not necessarily help in solving the clue but provides information about the clue. In the case of the weekday syndicated Daily Telegraph puzzles, such information is often intended to help the North American solver appreciate how the clue may be perceived by a British solver. These boxes may also provide information on people, places, films, television program, works of art and literature, etc. mentioned in the clue. Although the titles of these boxes will usually be drawn from a standard list, I do occasionally throw in a title specifically suggested by the subject at hand. The standard titles include: Scratching the Surface - an explanation of the surface reading of the clue Delving Deeper - in-depth information pertaining to a subject mentioned in an explanation The Story Behind the Picture - for weekday puzzles, information about an illustration found on Big Dave's Crossword Blog What did he/she/they say? - for weekday puzzles, an explanation of a remark made in a review or comment on Big Dave's Crossword Blog What are they talking about? - for weekday puzzles, an explanation of a discussion on Big Dave's Crossword Blog One box that may provide information that could prove helpful in solving the clue is the following: Here and There - for weekday puzzles, discusses words whose British meaning differs from their North American meaning

Note that there are many types of cryptic crossword clue and it is not my intention to exhaustively go through all of them here. I will only deal with clue types to the extent necessary to explain the conventions and symbols used on the blog. Furthermore, be aware that, in the world of cryptic crosswords, there seems to be an exception to every rule.

With one exception that I can think of, cryptic crossword clues provide two routes to the solution. These are commonly referred to as the definition and wordplay. While these terms serve well for most clues, there are some cases where the more formal terms of primary indication and subsidiary indication may be more appropriate.

Most cryptic crossword clues consist of a definition (primary indication) and wordplay (subsidiary indication). The definition may be:

• a "precise definition": a definition that is either taken directly from a dictionary or at least phrased in a non-misleading fashion similar to one that would be found in a dictionary
• a "cryptic definition": a definition misleadingly phrased so as to misdirect the solver either with respect to the meaning of the definition as a whole or to an incorrect sense of a word used in the definition (for example, defining topiary as "clip art")
• a "whimsical definition": a definition "invented" by the setter often by extrapolating a non-existent meaning for a word from a similar word (for example, defining a bird as a "winger" [something possessing wings] or a river as a ''flower" [something that flows] or to extrapolate that, since disembowel means 'to remove the innards of ', that discontent must mean 'to remove the contents of')
• a "definition by example": the presence of one of these is often flagged with a question mark (for example, defining atoll as "coral?" where an atoll is but one form that coral may take).

The only type of clue that I can think of where there are not two ways of finding the solution are those in which the entire clue is a cryptic definition.

I identify precise definitions by marking them with a solid underline in the clue and other varieties of definition (such as cryptic definitions, whimsical definitions, definitions by example, etc.) by marking them with a dotted underline.

In clues in which both definition and wordplay are present, the two parts of the clue combine to provide an overall meaningful statement (the surface reading) which usually bears no relationship to the underlying cryptic reading of the clue. In some cases, an extra word or phrase will be inserted into the clue to create a meaningful link between the definition and wordplay. I define clues which contain such a link word or link phrase as having an explicit link and clues which contain no link word or link phrase as having an implicit link.

I mark the existence of an explicit link by enclosing the link word or link phrase between forward slashes (/link/) and mark the existence of an implicit link with double forward slashes (//) positioned between the definition and wordplay.

Examples

A few examples may help to illustrate these points more clearly.

The first example is a clue used by Jay in DT 28573:

• 4d   Fellow left work // a failure (4)

Here the definition is "a failure" which is marked with a solid underline to show that it is a precise definition. The wordplay parses as F (fellow; abbrev.) + L (left; abbrev.) + OP (work; abbrev. used in music) which gives us the solution F|L|OP. The double forward slashes (//) between the definition and wordplay indicate the existence of an "implicit link" between the two parts of the clue (that is, no extra words are inserted into the clue to form the link).

The second example is a clue used by Giovanni in DT 28575:

• 29a   Female going to match // travels with mother in advance (10)

Here the definition "female going to match" is cryptic (the setter is attempting to misdirect our thoughts to a sports event rather than a marriage ceremony) and thus is marked with a a dotted underline. The wordplay is {RIDES (travels) + (with) MA (mother)} contained in (in) BID (advance) giving us the solution B(RIDES|MA)ID. As in the first example, the double forward slashes indicate the presence of an implicit link.

The third example is a clue used by Rufus is DT 28583:

• 18d   Knight caught by misplaced big blow /is/ staggering (8)

Here the definition is "staggering" which is marked with a solid underline to show that it is a precise definition. The wordplay parses as N ([chess symbol for] knight) contained in (caught in) an anagram (misplaced) of BIG BLOW producing the solution WOBBLI(N)G. Finally, forward slashes mark the link word (/is/).

I also use distinctive underlining to mark &lit.^[7] and semi-&lit. clues. Note that the reviewers on Big Dave's Crossword Blog generally prefer to refer to these clue types by the less pretentious names of all-in-one or semi-all-in-one clues respectively.

In an &lit. clue^[7] (or all-in-one clue) the entire clue provides not only the definition (when read one way), but under a different interpretation also serves as the wordplay.

In future, I will mark such clues with a combined solid and dashed underline. Although this is a departure from past practice, it would seem to make more sense than using a dotted underline as I have in the past). Henceforth, the dotted underline will be reserved for cryptic definitions.

In a semi-&lit. clue (or semi-all-in-one clue), either:

• the entire clue acts as the definition while a portion of the clue provides the wordplay; or
• the entire clue acts as the wordplay while a portion of the clue provides the definition.

For these clues, I will mark the definition with a solid underline and the wordplay with a  dashed underline. This means that a portion of the clue may have a solid underline, a portion of the clue may have a dashed underline and a portion of the clue may have a combined solid and dashed underline.

One final clue type is what I characterize as a cryptic definition comprised of a precise definition combined with cryptic elaboration. For example, in DT 28560 (setter unknown) the following clue appears:

•  26d   Heroic exploit, whichever way you look at it (4)

As the entire clue is a cryptic definition, it is marked with a dotted underline. The 'precise definition' is "heroic exploit" and is indicated by a solid underline.

Given the numeration, the precise definition could give rise to at least two solutions, DEED or FEAT. However, the 'cryptic elaboration' ("whichever way you look at it") indicates that the solution is a palindrome thereby immediately eliminating one of the two obvious choices.

Note that the part of the clue that I have called 'cryptic elaboration' does not provide a second independent route to the solution (as the wordplay would do in most other types of clue). Rather it merely provides a piece of additional information (elaboration) related to the 'precise definition'.

Again, this approach is a departure from past practice, but like the other changes mentioned previously is intended to remove inconsistencies in the way that I have been applying parsing markup to clues. The markup rules that I have been using until now evolved bit-by-bit over a long period of time resulting in some degree of internal inconsistency.

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Across

1a   Not so sunny // peak in the Cascades (7)

RAINIER — double definition

Mount Rainier^[5] is a volcanic peak in the south-west of Washington State in the US. Rising to a height of 4,395 m (14,410 ft), it is the highest peak in the Cascade Range.

5a   The first woman and others // summit (7)

EVE|REST — EVE (the first woman; partner of Adam) + (and) REST (others)

Mount Everest^[5] is a mountain in the Himalayas, on the border between Nepal and Tibet. Rising to 8,848 m (29,028 ft), it is the highest mountain in the world.

9a   Small, friendly // crowd (5)

S|WARM — S(mall) + WARM (friendly)

10a   In handouts, leave out // part of the Alps (9)

DOL(OMIT)ES — OMIT (leave out) contained in (in) DOLES (handouts)

The Dolomites (or Dolomite Mountains^[5]) are a range of the Alps in northern Italy, so named because the characteristic rock of the region is dolomitic limestone.

11a   A writer numbers // some Italian mountains (9)

A|PEN|NINES — A (†) + PEN (writer) + NINES (numbers)

The Apennines^[5] are a mountain range running 1,400 km (880 miles) down the length of Italy, from the north-west to the southern tip of the peninsula.

12a   Shoe material // went from side to side on the tongue (5)

SUEDE~ — sounds like (on the tongue) SWAYED (went from side to side)

13a   Decades going around to // some of the Rockies (6)

TE(TO)NS — TENS (decades) containing (going around) TO (†)

The Teton Range is a mountain range of the Rocky Mountains that extends for approximately 40 miles (64 km) in a north–south direction through the U.S. state of Wyoming, east of the Idaho state line. It is south of Yellowstone National Park and most of the east side of the range is within Grand Teton National Park.

Early French voyageurs named the range les trois tétons ("the three nipples") after the distinct breast-like shapes of its peaks.

15a   With six aboard, use SUV wandering around // volcano (8)

{VESU(VI)US}* — anagram of (wandering around) USE SUV containing (with ... aboard) VI ([Roman numeral for] six)

18a   Bad vibes about compass reading /for/ Scottish peak (3.5)

{BE(N NE)VIS}* — anagram of (bad) VIBES containing (about) NNE (compass reading; north-northeast)

Ben^* Nevis^[5] is a mountain in western Scotland. Rising to 1,343 m (4,406 ft), it is the highest mountain in the British Isles.

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^* Ben^[5] (used especially in place names) is Scottish for a high mountain or mountain peak.

19a   Be quiet /and/ have some food outside of shelter (4.2)

S(HUT) UP — SUP (have some food) containing (outside of) HUT (shelter)

22a   Adjust a skirt on one // macho guy (2-3)

HE-M|AN — HEM (adjust a skirt) + (on) AN (one)

24a   Hillary's first, and I'm next to a place like // Tibetan range (9)

H|IM|A|LAY|AS — H (Hillary's first [initial letter]) + (and) IM (I'm) + (next to) A (†) + LAY (place) + AS (like)

The Himalayas^[5] are a vast mountain system in southern Asia, extending 2,400 km (1,500 miles) from Kashmir eastwards to Assam. The Himalayas consist of a series of parallel ranges rising up from the Ganges basin to the Tibetan plateau, at over 3,000 m above sea level. The backbone is the Great Himalayan Range, the highest mountain range in the world, with several peaks rising to over 7,700 m (25,000 ft), the highest being Mount Everest^[5] which was first climbed in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.

26a   Bonn calm after rioting about temperature // peak in Europe (4.5)

{MON(T) BLANC}* — anagram of (after rioting) BONN CALM containing (about) T(emperature)

Mont Blanc^[5] is a peak in the Alps on the border between France and Italy, rising to 4,807 m (15,771 ft). It is the highest peak in the Alps and in western Europe.

27a   Asian capital // Kentucky invested in excessively (5)

TO(KY)O — KY (Kentucky; abbrev.) contained in (in) TOO (excessively)

28a   Delay // our party in pass (7)

S(US)PEND — US (our party) contained in (in) SPEND (pass; she would pass her time reminiscing with friends)

29a   Doctored up slurs // more than is necessary (7)

SURPLUS* — anagram of (doctored) UP SLURS

Down

1d   Take a break, painting // boot again (7)

REST|ART — REST (take a break) + ART (painting)

2d   Picture // one wizard (5)

I|MAGE — I ([Roman numeral for] one) + MAGE (wizard)

Mage^[5] is an archaic literary term for a magician or learned person.

3d   ln "Mice&Men" novel // approach (9)

IMMINENCE* — anagram of (novel) {IN MICE + (&) MEN}

Scratching the Surface
Of Mice and Men[7] is a novella written by American author John Steinbeck. Origin: The title is taken from Scottish poet Robert Burns' poem "To a Mouse", which reads: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley". (The best laid schemes of mice and men / Often go awry.)

4d   Equitation // gear including racket (6)

RI(DIN)G — RIG (gear) containing (including) DIN (racket)

5d   Eldest in cast // joined the army (8)

ENLISTED* — anagram of (cast) ELDEST IN

As an anagram indicator, I would say that cast^[5] is used in the sense of to shape (metal or other material) by pouring it into a mould while molten ⇒ when hammered or cast, bronze could be made into tools.

6d   Awards // seem mysterious, to an extent (5)

_EMMYS_ — hidden in (to an extent) seEM MYSterious

7d   Holding term mistakenly, be // fanatic (9)

EX(TREM*)IST — EXIST (be) containing (holding) anagram of (mistakenly) TERM

8d   Partner's heart, flowers. /and/ samplers (7)

T|ASTERS — T (partner's heart; middle letter of parTner) + ASTERS (flowers)

14d   Doctrines about guys /in/ slum dwellings (9)

TENE(MEN)TS — TENETS (doctrines) containing (about) MEN (guys)

16d   Terribly rues hot LP // cover, in a way (9)

UPHOLSTER* — anagram of (terribly) RUES HOT LP

17d   Greeting and embracing good husband, left // place for a fling? (8)

HI(G|H|L)AND — {HI (greeting) + AND (†)} containing (embracing) {G(ood) + H(usband) + L(eft)}

The Highland fling^[5] is a vigorous Scottish dance consisting of a series of complex steps performed solo, originally to celebrate victory.

18d   Born, I see, on mother's // island country (7)

B|AHA|MA|S — B(orn) + AHA (I see) + (on) MA (mother) + S ('s)

20d   Ministers // go around rocky peak (7)

PAS(TOR)S — PASS (go) containing (around) TOR (rocky peak)

21d   Sharply strikes // fishing boats (6)

SMACKS — double definition

Smack^[5] is a British term for a single-masted sailing boat used for coasting^* or fishing ⇒ the village still harbours a few fishing smacks.

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^* Coast^[5] means to sail along the coast, especially in order to carry cargo ⇒ he coasted down the eastern shore.

23d   Peer // through casino blearily (5)

_NO|BLE_ — hidden in (through) casiNO BLEarily

A peer^[5] is a member of the nobility in Britain or Ireland, comprising the ranks of duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron.

25d   Rustic // couple, last of all (5)

YOKE|L — YOKE (couple [of oxen]) + L (last [final letter] of alL)

A yoke^[3] is a pair of draft animals, such as oxen, joined by a yoke.

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A rustic^[3] (noun) is a person regarded as unsophisticated, guileless, or coarse from having been raised in the country.

Epilogue

An explanation of the theme is hardly necessary today.

Key to Reference Sources: 

^[1]   - The Chambers Dictionary, 11th Edition
^[2]   - Search Chambers - (Chambers 21st Century Dictionary)
^[3]   - TheFreeDictionary.com (American Heritage Dictionary)
^[4]   - TheFreeDictionary.com (Collins English Dictionary)
^[5]   - Oxford Dictionaries (Oxford Dictionary of English)
^[6]   - Oxford Dictionaries (Oxford American Dictionary)
^[7]   - Wikipedia
^[8]   - Reverso Online Dictionary (Collins French-English Dictionary)
^[9]   - Infoplease (Random House Unabridged Dictionary)
^[10] - CollinsDictionary.com (Collins English Dictionary)
^[11] - TheFreeDictionary.com (Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary)
^[12] - CollinsDictionary.com (Webster’s New World College Dictionary)
^[13] - MacmillanDictionary.com (Macmillan Dictionary)
^[14] - CollinsDictionary.com (COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary)

Signing off for today — Falcon