Deletions

[A new instalment in the series of posts about cryptic clue types, meant for beginners. Check out this link for clue types covered earlier: Cryptic Clue Types]

In deletion clues, part(s) of a word are removed to get the solution. 

Some examples of text deletion for this clue type:
WHEAT – W = HEAT
PRIMER – RIM = PER
KITE – E = KIT

Deletion Clue Structure: The clue contains/indicates these parts -

1. Definition
2. Word from which letters are to be deleted – Generally you need to work out this word from the wordplay, it will not be given away directly in the clue.
3. Deletion indicator – There are different types of deletion clues with their own styles of indicators. Some signal the removal of letters by position (such as, subtract the first letter or last), others by specifying the letters/word to be removed (such as, drop M-I-L from FAMILY to get a word for fairy).
   The next section takes them on in detail.
4. Letters to be deleted – This appears in clues where the deletion is not by position but by indicating the letters/word to be removed. The deletion component can be mentioned directly or cryptically. Standard abbreviations are often used to indicate specific letters for removal.

For example, a clue for deleting E from KITE could use either of these ploys:
          by position: flier loses its tail
          by specific letters: flier lacks energy

Types Of Deletion

Delete the head: Letters are removed from the beginning of a word. This uses indicators like: beheaded, start off, without introduction. 
ET 3497: Head off champion worker (7)(-p)ARTISAN
ET 3854: Suggest not starting in a flabby way (5) {-l}IMPLY

Delete the tail: Letters are removed from the end of a word. This uses indicators like: back off, mostly, without end.
FT 12705: Circuits almost falling (4) LAPS{-e}
ET 3855: Alter without finishing the last word (4) AMEN{-d}

Delete both ends: Letters are removed from both edges of a word. This uses indicators like: losing margins, trimmed, without limits. The number of letters removed are the same on both sides of the word.
Limitless outpouring? Exactly (3) {-s}PAT{-e}
Little shark edges away from diver's equipment (3) {-s}CUB{-a}

Delete the middle: Letters are removed from the centre of a word. This uses indicators like: cored, disheartened, empty. The centre is the exact centre – when "disheartened", a even-lettered word will drop an even number of letters from its middle, an odd-lettered word will drop an odd number of letters.
Dull speeches, hollow assurances (6) PRO{-mi}SES
THC 9392: Resided almost comfortably in empty dugout (5) D WEL{-l} T [Two deletions are happening here: "almost" removes the tail of WELl, "empty" removes the centre of DugouT.]

Delete specified words/letters: This type defines the word(s) or letter(s) to be removed. This uses indicators like: cutting, missing, struck. Here the indicator signals removal in general, it does not say from which position the letter should be removed.
Times 4309: Cold and uncertain? Not very (4) {-v}AGUE
THC 9409: State a lie goes out of estrangement (6) {- a lie}NATION

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Try solving these deletion clues:
Plunderer loses head to go mad (5)
Charge for rehearsal when play is cancelled (5)
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Related Posts:

• Deletion Indicators
• Other Clue Types: Anagrams, Hidden Words, Charades, Containers,
                             Reversals, Double Definitions, Homophones, Substitutions,
                             Acrostics, Cryptic Definitions, &Lit.

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Barred Grid Crosswords

I have not dipped my toes into barred grid puzzles so far, but reading Peter's detailed write-up on the Azed puzzle aimed at beginners, I'm motivated to try. The post explains the clues of Azed 1919, describes barred grid puzzle conventions and gives useful tips for engaging with this advanced cryptic puzzle.

A little background for those unfamiliar with crossword grid terminology.

Daily newspaper crosswords like The Hindu have grids with black-and-white squares. A square that contains a letter is white, one that does not is black. Such a grid is a blocked grid. Letters in the grid that interlock with more than one word are called checked letters. These help the solver by providing letters for crossing clues. Letters of a word that are sandwiched between black squares and do not link with other words are called unchecked letters or unches. e.g. In clue 1A in this blocked grid, every even letter is checked and odd letter unchecked.

A barred grid has white squares only; each square contains a letter. Word divisions are indicated by thick lines. There are more checked letters in a barred grid than in a blocked grid. A consequence of this high level of checking is that it is potentially easier to work out unusual/obscure words in the solution. Advanced cryptics with complex wordplay and tough vocabulary, such as Azed and Mephisto, use the barred grid.

Azed 1919

If you have never tried Azed before, 1919 may be a good start point: it is supposed to be easier than a regular Azed, and you have Peter’s post as reference for how the clues work. You can download and print the PDF, or solve it interactively if your computer is Java-enabled.

Azed 1919: PDF Version	Azed 1919: Interactive Version

I've taken the print and will attempt it tonight, with the Chambers dictionary by my side.

Related Posts:

• Crossword Grid: Symmetry
• Crossword Grid: Checking
• Crossword Grid: Connectivity
• Peter Biddlecombe's Interview

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Hidden Word Indicators

A collection of hidden word/telescopic clue type indicators.

Hidden Word Indicators

APPEARS IN BURIED IN CAMOUFLAGES CHARACTERS CONCEALED CONCEALING CONCEALS CONTAINED CONTENT CONTENTS CONTRIBUTING DEMONSTRATES DISPLAYING DWELLS IN ECLIPSING ENCLOSES EXHIBITING EXTRACT FEATURING

FROM FURNISHES GIVES HAS HELD BY HELPING TO MAKE HIDDEN HIDES HIDING HOLDS IN IN PART INHERENT IN INSIDE INTERNAL INTRINSIC LETTERS FROM LETTERS OF

OF PART PARTIAL PARTLY PROVIDING SECRETING SEGMENT OF SELECTION SHOWING SMUGGLING SOME SOMEWHAT STORES VEILED VEILING VEILS WITHHOLDS WITHIN

Thanks to Ganesh for his inputs in compiling this list.

Related Posts:

• Telescopic Clue Type
• Other Indicators

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