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Easy Cryptic Crossword 2023-12-03

Easy Cryptic Crossword from Simple Daily Puzzles 2023-12-03 (23/23)

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The clues:

1a – Given tool inside that’s specially selected (4-6)

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HAND-PICKED

Specially selected is the definition, with inside as an indicator to put PICK (tool) into HANDED (given): HAND(PICK)ED

7a – Joint that may be violated (8)

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DOVETAIL

Joint is the definition, with may be as an anagram indicator for violated

8a – Go round and call (4)

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RING

Double definition, with ring meaning both go round and call

9a – Single fish (4)

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SOLE

Double definition with sole meaning single and also being a fish

10a – Speak about odd love for a sausage (7)

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SAVELOY

Sausage is the definition, with about as an indicator to put VELO (odd is an anagram indicator for love) into SAY (speak): SA(VELO)Y

12a – Cried so loud, being upset, or changed hue (11)

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DISCOLOURED

Changed hue is the definition, with being upset as an anagram indicator for cried so loud

14a – Make a big fuss – and continue to do so (5,2)

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CARRY ON

Double definition, with carry on meaning make a big fuss and continue

16a – Utter contempt in this style (4)

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HISS

Utter contempt is the definition, with in as a hidden word indicator for t(his s)tyle

19a – Staunch supporter? (4)

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STEM

Double definition, with stem meaning staunch (a flow), and also being a supporter (like the stem of a flower?)

20a – Dead ends making you depressed? (8)

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SADDENED

Depressed is the definition, with making as an anagram indicator for dead ends

21a – Favourite heavyweight of a town in the north of England (10)

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DARLINGTON

Double definition, with Darlington being a heavyweight boxer and also a town in the north of England

1d – Scottish exclamation or owl noises (5)

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HOOTS

Double definition, with “hoots” being a Scottish exclamation and hoots also being owl noises

2d – Sewing implements not quite unnecessary (7)

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NEEDLES

Sewing implements is the definition, with not quite as an indicator to remove the last letter from NEEDLESS (unnecessary)

3d – Fruit and vegetable, right? (4)

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PEAR

Fruit is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: PEA (vegetable) + R (abbreviation for right)

4d – Apple brandy and soda served up after Calvin dropped in (8)

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CALVADOS

Apple brandy is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: CALV (dropped is an indicator to remove in from Calvin) + ADOS (up is a reversal indicator for soda)

5d – Weird eastern lake (5)

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EERIE

Weird is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: E (abbreviation for eastern) + ERIE (lake)

6d – Reveal new fun – not new (6)

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UNFOLD

Reveal is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: UNF (new is an anagram indicator for fun) + OLD (not new)

11d – Huge deficit in fuel production (8)

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COLOSSAL

Huge is the definition, with in as an indicator to put LOSS (deficit) into COAL (fuel)

12d – A shortage of twisted thread (6)

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DEARTH

Shortage is the definition, with twisted as an anagram indicator for thread

13d – Object when put into torn clothing (7)

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RAIMENT

Clothing is the definition, with into as an indicator to put AIM (object) into RENT (torn): R(AIM)ENT

15d – A dance that comes from Burma? (5)

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RUMBA

Dance is the definition, with comes from as an anagram indicator for Burma

17d – Unrelenting back (5)

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STERN

Double definition, with stern meaning unrelenting and also being the back of a ship

18d – Garden taken from the dentist (4)

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EDEN

Garden is the definition, with taken from as a hidden word indicator for th(e den)tist

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