Next in our collection of tips and tricks: references to physicians of all kinds – and even Liam Fox
In the example clues below, I explain both parts of each: the definition of the answer, given in bold type, and the wordplay – the recipe for assembling its letters. In a genuine puzzle environment, of course, you also have the crossing letters, which greatly alleviate your solving load. The explanations contain links to previous entries in this series on such matters as spelling one word backwards to reveal another. Also, setters’ names tend to link to interviews, in case you feel like getting to know these people better.
23dDoctor on round longs to be amusing (5)
[wordplay: abbreviation for “doctor”, next to (“on”) letter that is round + abbreviation for “long” twice (“longs”)]
[DR + O + LL]
[definition: amusing]
17acGP moves cautiously and cleans out bed (7)
[wordplay: abbreviation that can be substituted for “GP” + synonym for “moves cautiously”]
[DR + EDGES]
[definition: cleans out bed]
1acAttract doctor with fashionablefastener (7,3)
[wordplay: synonym for “attract” + abbreviation for “doctor” + synonym for “fashionable”]
[DRAW IN + GP + IN]
[definition: fastener]
1acDoctor touring Fife, lost and annoyed (6)
[wordplay: abbreviation for “doctor” outside of (“touring”) anagram of (“lost”) FIFE]
[MD outside of IFFE]
[definition: annoyed]
12ac Without principles, a doctor comes across really oddly (6)
[wordplay: A (“a”) + abbreviation for “doctor”, next to (“comes across”) odd letters of (“oddly”) REALLY]
[A + MO + RAL]
[definition: without principle]
26acAt the start of a month, before bored doctormade out (10)
[wordplay: abbreviation suggesting start of month, then old synonym for “before” inside (“bored” as a verb) abbreviation for “doctor”]
[DEC I, then ERE inside PHD]
[definition: made out]
9acDoctor Liam Fox in a tensescrutiny of motives (4-11)
[wordplay: anagram of (“doctor”) LIAMFOXINATENSE]
[definition: scrutiny of motives]