The Irish Independent Cryptic Answers and Explanations for May 6, 2024

Try solving today’s Irish Independent Cryptic puzzle. If you want to know the answers and explanations for this article, scroll down and get everything. This crossword puzzle helps you learn new words every day and also improves your vocabulary. So, let’s get started.

Question: Weariness of girl and I leads to badly arranged duet (9)

LASSITUDE

The weariness felt by both the girl and I results in a poorly coordinated performance, represented by a badly arranged duet, fitting the definition of LASSITUDE, which denotes a state of physical or mental weariness.

Question: Hit back to obtain equality (3)

PAR

To achieve equality, one must hit back, symbolizing a retaliatory action. In this context, PAR is a concise term meaning equality or a state of being on par with someone or something.

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Question: Pinch something suitable? (11)

APPROPRIATE

Pinching something suitable, indicating the act of selecting or taking what is fitting or proper. Thus, APPROPRIATE, which means suitable or fitting, aligns with the idea of choosing the right thing for a particular purpose.

Question: A South Polar muddle, in short, surely superfluous in South Polar regions! (7)

PARASOL

South Polar muddle but suggests that surely superfluous elements are unnecessary in polar regions. This alludes to a PARASOL, an item typically associated with protection from the sun, which indeed would be superfluous in the South Polar regions due to the lack of sunlight.

Question: Arrangement of command... (5)

ORDER

The term arrangement of command implies a structured sequence of directives or instructions. ORDER signifies both a command and a state of organization or arrangement, making it a fitting answer.

Question: ...for the girl who makes medals (6)

DAMSEL

The question suggests a girl associated with making medals, hinting at a specific role or occupation. DAMSEL refers to a young unmarried woman or girl, often depicted in literature or folklore, aligning with the context of the question.

Question: Maybe theyve fallen underfoot, having been built overhead! (6)

ARCHES

Fallen underfoot suggests something that has been stepped on or trampled, while built overhead indicates a structure above ground level. ARCHES fit this description as they are architectural features built overhead but can also be inadvertently stepped on or underfoot.

Question: A number underground speak affectedly... (5)

MINCE

A number underground suggests a numerical value hidden or placed within the word, which is one in this case. Speak affectedly suggests a style of speech, which fits with the definition of mince, meaning to speak in an affected or dainty manner.

Question: ...and corrosion is surrounding the same number of country folk (7)

RUSTICS

Corrosion implies decay or wear, fitting with the idea of rural or countryside life. The same number of country folk indicates that the answer has the same number of letters as the number referenced in the previous clue, which is seven. So, rustics fits perfectly.

Question: Made too much of great confusion in former ancient enclosure (11)

EXAGGERATED

Made too much of hints at exaggeration, suggesting a word related to embellishment. Great confusion in former ancient enclosure leads to the word exaggerated, meaning to overstate or embellish something beyond the truth.

Question: Time to find 22 in 20 (3)

ERA

Time indicates a period or epoch, fitting with the definition of era. Find 22 in 20 suggests locating the number 22 within the word 20, which is positioned at the end, forming era.

Question: Draw is this way in the defenders! (9)

BACKWARDS

Draw is this way suggests a reversal, fitting with the word backwards. In the defenders implies that the answer is contained within the phrase the defenders, completing the clue for the word backwards.

Question: Reptile beings a spirited attack (3)

ASP

Reptile beings indicates a type of creature, and a spirited attack suggests a short, aggressive action, fitting with the definition of asp, a venomous snake known for its quick, aggressive strikes.

Question: Solid favourites perhaps (5)

IDOLS

Solid favourites perhaps suggests a term often used to describe someone greatly admired or worshipped. The answer, IDOLS, fits perfectly as it refers to individuals or things that are highly revered or adored by others.

Question: Turbulent yet unruffled beginning, nearly finished! (6)

UNRULY

Turbulent yet unruffled beginning, nearly finished! hints at a word that starts tumultuously but ends calmly. UNRULY starts with chaos but ends with composure, capturing the essence of its definition.

Question: Charm belonging to us following change of name (7)

ENAMOUR

Charm belonging to us following change of name suggests a term related to attraction or infatuation. The answer, ENAMOUR, fits the clue as it means to captivate or charm someone, with en indicating belonging and a signifying a change of name.

Question: Very lavish, he is inclined to his first part, and doesnt practise his second part! (11)

SPENDTHRIFT

Someone who is excessively extravagant and inclined to lavish spending, particularly on their first part (initial expenditure) but lacks discipline in the second part (saving or restraint).

Question: Flowers, formal flowers (9)

PRIMROSES

Flowers, formal flowers indicates a term for a type of flower that is both formal and common. PRIMROSES aligns with the clue, as they are formal flowers often found in gardens or used in formal floral arrangements.

Question: True map, not a bag overturned (11)

PORTMANTEAU

True map, not a bag overturned implies a word that combines two different meanings or elements. PORTMANTEAU fits perfectly as it denotes a large suitcase but also refers to a linguistic blend of two words, aligning with the idea of combining meanings, like a true map of two concepts.

Question: Boy goes round cupola – to measure the distance? (9)

PEDOMETER

The boy is often associated with activity, and cupola hints at a round structure. A pedometer is a device used to measure the distance walked by a person, making it a fitting answer for a boy moving around a cupola.

Question: Favourite we take the wretched blame about! (3,4)

EWE LAMB

Favourite suggests a preferred choice, and the wretched blame implies something negative. The answer is ewe lamb, where ewe is a female sheep and lamb refers to a young sheep, representing an innocent scapegoat.

Question: Its very sad to return half cigar tobacco (6)

TRAGIC

Half cigar tobacco could be interpreted as cigar without its last three letters, giving cig. Reversing this gives gic, which, when combined with tar (a type of tobacco), forms tragic, meaning deeply distressing or sorrowful.

Question: The last one can be the... (5)

STRAM

The last one implies that we are looking at the last word in the question. Can be the... suggests an anagram, resulting in MARTS which matches STRAM after reversing it, giving the solution MARTS.

Question: ...finish (in 6) (3)

END

...finish indicates the solution is the end of the phrase. In 6 refers to the length of the word, which is END, and it also represents the conclusion or finish of something, fitting the clue perfectly.