Today’s Answer for The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is Revealed Here (March 29, 2024)
by J Divya
Updated Mar 29, 2024
Fans of The Independent's Cryptic Crossword like completing crossword puzzles. If you're searching for a challenge, this Crossword is one of the best options. Today's crossword puzzle presents an intriguing challenge. Take your time and try to solve the problem. We are here to help
Old coin, one blocking vent (5)
Answer: DUCAT
"Old coin" indicates the definition of the answer, which is "DUCAT." "One" is the letter "I," and "blocking" suggests that it should be placed inside another word. "Vent" gives us the word "DUCT," into which we insert "I" to get "DU(I)CT," which is a "DUCAT," an old gold coin
Article recording introduction from historian supports collections of letters- (9)
Answer: ALPHABETS
"Article recording" suggests we look for a word meaning a recording or a written account. "Introduction from historian" tells us to take the first letter from the word "historian," which is "H." "Supports" indicates that this letter "H" should come after another word, which is "ALPHABET," to give us "A(H)LPABET." "Collections of letters" in the plural form gives us "ALPHABETS," which refers to sets of letters in a language.
Prevent one leaving less riotous faster (9)
Answer: BANQUETER
"Prevent" is the definition, indicating the answer is a word meaning to prevent. "One leaving" suggests removing the letter "I" from another word. "Less riotous" gives us "BANQUET," from which we remove "I" to get "BANQUET." "Faster" hints that this word should be faster than the original word, so we add "ER" at the end to get "BANQUETER."
Opening extracted from report Nixon backed (5)
Answer: INTRO
"Opening" is the definition, indicating that the answer is a word for the beginning or opening of something. "Extracted from" suggests that we take a part of another word, which is "REPORT." "Nixon backed" indicates that we reverse or "back" the word "Nixon" to get "NOXIN," and then we extract the first three letters to get "INTRO."
Henry to appear in a short time – and again and again? (6)
Answer: THRICE
"Henry" is a hint to the letter "H." "To appear in" suggests that this letter should be placed inside another word. "A short time" gives us the word "TRICE," into which we insert the letter "H" to get "THRICE," which means "again and again."
Relative getting taxman releasing money unexpectedly - a source of ease (8)
Answer: RELAXANT
"Relative" suggests the answer is a word for someone related to you. "Taxman releasing money unexpectedly" indicates that we remove the letters for "TAX" and rearrange the remaining letters to get "RELAXANT," which is something that provides ease or relaxation.
Nobel prize winner - second person in France to feature twice (4)
Answer: TUTU
"Nobel prize winner" suggests that the answer is someone who has won a Nobel Prize. "Second person in France to feature twice" refers to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who is the second person to have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice (the first being Marie Curie). The answer is "TUTU," which is Archbishop Tutu's surname.
Eastern India restricted by old regular payment (8)
Answer: ORIENTAL
"Eastern" suggests looking for something related to the East. "India restricted by" indicates that the answer is a word meaning India with another word inside it. "Old" suggests using an old or archaic term, which is "ORIENT." "Regular payment" suggests adding the word "AL" (a regular or standard abbreviation for payment) inside "ORIENT" to get "ORIENTAL," which means relating to the East.
Carbon, oxygen and phosphorus in heap forming ester? (8)
Answer: COMPOUND
"Carbon, oxygen, and phosphorus" are elements that can be found in a chemical compound. "In heap" suggests that these elements are mixed together. "Forming ester" indicates that the result is a type of chemical compound, which is "COMPOUND."
What’s earlier than foxtrot in dance choice? (4)
Answer: ECHO
"What’s earlier than foxtrot" suggests looking for a dance that comes before the foxtrot alphabetically. In the alphabet, "E" comes before "F," so the answer is "ECHO."
Contemporary of Gates, B, to attempt firearms practice (8)
Answer: MUSKETRY
"Contemporary of Gates, B" refers to musketry, which was a military term for the use of muskets, a type of firearm. "To attempt firearms practice" describes the activity of musketry, which involves the use and practice of muskets.
Poet overlooking British and our enthusiasm (6)
Answer: ARDOUR
"Poet overlooking British" suggests removing the letters "BR" (British) from a word related to enthusiasm or passion. "Enthusiasm" is another word for "ARDOUR," but we need to remove "BR" to get the answer.
Festival putting out special meal for me? (5)
Answer: EATER
"Poet overlooking British" suggests removing the letters "BR" (British) from a word related to enthusiasm or passion. "Enthusiasm" is another word for "ARDOUR," but we need to remove "BR" to get the answer.
Aster? Write music about it (9)
Answer: COMPOSITE
"Aster" is an anagram indicator, suggesting that we rearrange the letters of "ASTER" to get a new word. "Write music about it" suggests that the new word is related to music. The answer is "COMPOSITE," which means composed of several parts or elements.
Metal tip – lead? (9)
Answer: SPEARHEAD
"Metal tip" is a literal description of a spearhead, which is the sharp, pointed part of a spear. "Lead" can mean to be at the front or in a leading position, which is another way of describing a spearhead.
Money returned regarding fertiliser ingredient (5)
Answer: NITRE
"Money returned" suggests that we reverse the word for money, which is "RETI." "Regarding" indicates that we should insert another word, which is "N," inside "RETI" to get "NITRE," a type of fertiliser ingredient.
Discussion not up to be raised before closing parts of summit conference (6)
Answer: DEBATE
"Discussion" is the definition, indicating that the answer is a word for a discussion or debate. "Not up" suggests removing the letter "up" from another word, which is "DEBATE." "To be raised before closing parts of summit conference" indicates that we move the letter "B" (the closing part of the word "summit") to the beginning of "DEATE" to get "DEBATE."
Unusually competent, suppressing Right with singular argument (11)
Answer: CONTRETEMPS
"Unusually" suggests an anagram. "Competent" indicates the anagram is of "COMPETENT." "Suppressing Right with singular argument" suggests removing "R" (Right) and adding "S" (singular) to "COMPETENT" to get "CONTRETEMPS," which means an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence or delay.
Panic about count I ran perversely having mistake in the maths (10,5)
Answer: TRUNCATION ERROR
"Panic" is an anagram indicator, suggesting that we rearrange the letters of "ABOUT COUNT I RAN PERVERSELY" to get a phrase. "Having mistake in the maths" suggests that the answer is a term related to a mistake in mathematics, which is "TRUNCATION ERROR."
Political group out of power supporting the creative industries (4)
Answer: ARTY
"Political group out of power" suggests removing a term for a political group from a word. "Supporting the creative industries" indicates that the remaining word means related to or supportive of the creative industries, which is "ARTY."
Frenchman, perhaps, showing skill for one in theatrical area (8)
Answer: PARTERRE
"Frenchman, perhaps" suggests that we are looking for a word that could describe a French person or something related to France. "Showing skill" suggests that the answer is a word for skill or talent. "For one in theatrical area" indicates that the answer is a word for an area in a theater, which is "PARTERRE," the main floor of a theater.
What could give cinema a darn toot? Where’s Yosemite Sam when you need him? (8,7)
Answer: ANIMATED CARTOON
"What could give cinema a darn toot?" suggests that the answer is related to something lively or animated. "Where’s Yosemite Sam when you need him?" is a reference to a classic animated character known for his lively and energetic personality. The answer is "ANIMATED CARTOON," which refers to a type of film featuring animated characters.
Amphibian departed, abandoning lake (3)
Answer: EFT
"Amphibian" suggests that the answer is a type of amphibious creature. "Departed, abandoning lake" indicates that we remove the word "LAKE" from another word, which is "NEWT," to get "EFT," which is a type of newt.
Discussion of work, hard work, interrupting attempt to follow game (8)
Answer: SHOP TALK
"Discussion of work" suggests that the answer is related to talking about work. "Hard work, interrupting attempt to follow game" indicates that we take the word "SHOP" (which can mean hard work) and insert it into "TALK" (which can mean an attempt to follow a game) to get "SHOP TALK."
Compiler is busy tonight also (11)
Answer: ANTHOLOGIST
"Compiler" suggests that the answer is someone who compiles things, such as an anthology. "Is busy tonight also" indicates that the answer is a person who is active or working at night as well, which is an "ANTHOLOGIST," someone who compiles anthologies.
Hurries holidaymakers aboard ship (8)
Answer: SCAMPERS
"Hurries" suggests that the answer is a word for moving quickly. "Holidaymakers aboard ship" indicates that we put "CAMPERS" (holidaymakers) inside "S" (ship) to get "SCAMPERS," which means to hurry or run quickly.
Musical performance from area in close to eastern direction? (8)
Answer: ENTRACTE
"Musical performance" suggests that the answer is a term related to music. "Area in close to eastern direction" indicates that we take the word "NEAR" (close) and move the last letter "R" to the beginning to get "ENEAR," which is an anagram of "ENTRACTE," a musical interlude or performance.
Easy thing or easterly thing? (6)
Answer: BREEZE
"Easy thing" suggests that the answer is something easy or effortless. "Easterly thing" indicates that the answer is a word for something related to the east, which is a "BREEZE," a light wind that typically comes from the east.
Surrounded by support, receiving millions (4)
Answer: AMID
"Surrounded by support" suggests that the answer is a word for being surrounded by something. "Receiving millions" indicates that we add the Roman numeral for millions, "M," to "AID" (support) to get "AMID," which means surrounded by.
