Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

I'm surprised by this extensive discussion of 38A - I got it early on, and in Chambers it clearly refers to Broom.

Instead, my problem is the NE corner - apart from 8D, this is barren. Any tips eg 5A?

I also have several solutions that I don't understand eg 11A, 21A, 39A, 4D...

As for playing Battleships, that still seems a long way off!

I concur. My little crossword app tells me it's from the Latin for broom plant. Does 22 really end nie?r. Same app and this site has no suggestions but I'm thinking the ? Must be a u per clue. Maybe my n is wrong - it's on the dodgy list! Nothin ne yet, sorry

Dylan,

11a = RE + SEA + URCH(IN) U is extra
21a = anag of SUCH + PCPY (cases of pacific piracy) C is extra

As for the others, not a Scooby Doo!

Dylan, in 5a the first word (Do) indicates a word meaning defraud. I don't understand 'scrutinise' unless the letters it stands for are an abbreviation of a longer word meaning scrutinise. I couldn't find any support in my Chambers.
39a - 'man on board' = a chess piece. This is surrounded by a word for sailor with the first syllable (coaster) removed. There's an extra letter. The definition is 'Persuasive'.
4d is &lit. A word for straining in a conventional sense (straining to reach something) minus the first letter, but also minus the second letter, which is extra. The answer is straining in another sense after intake of food (starter).

I have the first, third and fourth word groups fitted into the grid but am having a problem with the position of the second and fifth groups. Pointer would be welcome.

Rrrobbo - 22 does indeed end nie?r and is in Chambers. Your supposition of a u is also correct. Hope this helps!

Notrab, if you have positioned your first word correctly you should have one non-word crossing it. The placing of fifth word resolves this problem. To determine and place the second word count how many ships of each type you have in the grid. The placing of the second word creates an instance of one of them.

5A - the second part is peer for scrutinize (an E is extra)

4D Stretching - S from ship disposed, T is extra

Group 2 replaces 29D, group 5 replaces 17A

My objection to 39A definition wasn't based on what is in Chambers. That, after all, is simply sourced from other authorities. But id most of you say it's broom, then it's broom...

Dryden - 5a second part is a missing letter from scrutinise as in look closely. Hope this helps!

Hi meursault. I had assumed that the fifth group goes in 17A but my problem is with the second letter thereof which surely has to be 'I' but I can' t find an extra I in the relevant clues. Can you throw a lifeline to a drowning man?