Listener Crossword 4553: Solution Notes
Inscription by Dysart
Puzzle explanation
The letters omitted from wordplay spelt out L’Uomo Vitruviano in the grid. The required drawing was a rendition of Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man (either an outline or a stick figure was accepted), guided by repeated occurrences of ARM, LEG and TORSO in the grid. The initials of down clues in normal order spelt “draw circle centred on dot”, requiring a large circle, extending beyond the sides and top of the grid, to complete the thematic picture.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| Answer (unclued letter) | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Across | |
| MEINS | MES around IN |
| P(L)ASM | CHASM with P for CH |
| A(U)RAE | A’ in (A + RE) |
| L(O)RCA | L + RCA |
| RAT-A-TAT | TAR < around TA-TA |
| MOUE | MOUSE − (stain)S |
| S(O)LON | SLO(w) + N |
| RITE | homophone of RIGHT |
| AIRDRIE | (MARRIED − M) * around I’ |
| NO(T) | ON < |
| ESS | NESS − N(ewsman) |
| SPELEOLOGISTS | (SLIP GETS LOOSE) * |
| SH(R)ILL | SHILL |
| LASCAR | RASCAL < but with middle letters preserved |
| COFFEE ESSENCE | (CO + FENCE) around (F(il)E + SEES *) |
| AGGIE | AG + GIE |
| MORBILLIVIR(U)S | MB around OR + (V + ILL + I) < + (f)IRS(t) |
| ORGY | (p)ORGY |
| REE(V)E | EE after RE |
| G(I)ST | (disgustin)G ST(icky) |
| E(A)SING | EG around SIN |
| GR(O)PES | G + (P in RES(t)) |
| Down | |
| ACC(U)SE | (C + CASE) with A moving to the top |
| AIRN | RAIN with R(ace) moved to later |
| ALDA | ((l)A(n)D(s) L(e)A(d)) < |
| ARRI(V)E | REPAIR * − P |
| ERGS | GERS with G(ale) moving down |
| E(U)ROPOP | PORE < + OP |
| EVER | (r)EVER(y) |
| GR(I)P | (PAPER − APE) < after G |
| HONOR(A) | HON + O’ + R |
| IRRUP(T) | PURR < after I |
| LEGLE(N) | ALLEGEDLY * − LADY * |
| MA(M)EYS | (MAY + S(often)) around (Jun)E |
| MAMMON | M + AMMON |
| PLANING | PLAN(n)ING |
| REAL LIFE | (EA + L(iverpoo)L) in RIFE |
| REESTS | (STEER around ’S) < |
| SCHMOE | (COMES + H) * |
| SCOT(I)ST | S in SCOTT |
| SEASIDE | ASIDE after SE(e) |
| SOLE | homophone of SOUL |
| SOLS | 2 meanings |
| TREVISES | TREES around VIS |