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Catching up with my 'back' crosswords I came across the following very basic error. I'm rather surprised that a setter of Rufus' standard would have let it slip by. Has anyone else seen it?

6D. Imply port swallowed is of a lower standard (8) = INFERIOR

The Judge. Dont understand what you are saying
Imply = Infer
Port = Rio
Lower standard = inferior
Am I missing something?

infe(rio)r What error?

chrisg - Imply DOES NOT = infer - quite the oppposite

Exactly Mike! Infer and Imply are CERTAINLY NOT synonyms. It's amazing how many believe they are, isn't it? A common and basic arror. Well spotted The Judge.

Bradford's Crossword Solver's Dictionary gives imply as a synonym for infer, and I have always understood it as such.

Well, Well. I have learnt something today. My dictionary states that Imply is commonly confused with Infer.

... and please let me quote Chambers - under "infer" "to imply (often condemned as a misuse, but generally accepted for over four centuries"

Chambers:
Infer. to derive from what has gone before, or
envolve as a consequnce, to imply

I fear Bradford's is wrong in this instance.

INFER = DEDUCE from evidence and reasoning

IMPLY = INDICATE by suggestion.

Look up Chambers D or OED.

My old English master used drum into us, " the SPEAKER implies; the LISTENER infers."