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Is 11 ac a poor clue or is it me?

Declining unit accepts article without enthusiasm (2,3,4)

Believe the answer is ON THE WANE

Parsing: unit is ONE around article and without enthusiasm, THE and WAN

Wan is without enthusiasm?

Pale, yes, when referring to a person's complexion.

Comments welcomed.

Enigma

I suppose wan could be used in that context. See definition - lacking in forcefulness, competence, or effectiveness: their wan attempts to organize the alumni.

Chambers gives a defintion of 'wan' as 'dark,gloomy' so I suppose that could equate with 'without enthusiasm'?

Enigma. How about 'on the fade'? 'Fad' seems more relevant than 'wan', although the expression is less familiar.

Sorry, I've never heard of 'on the fade- - it seems rather tenuous.

Thanks everybody.

Feel still the answer is on the wane, if nothing else the phrase is reasonably well known.

I think there is a consensus that wan meaning "lack of enthusiasm" is stretching its definition.

With that caveat today's puzzle was an enjoyable solve.

I think it's simply a poor clue but wouldn't stake my life on it being the correct answer.

Just for info: The Concise Oxford Dict gives (as a second meaning) WAN = (of a smile) lacking enthusiasm. So it's a good 'un.

If URLs are allowed this will show an image of the waning moon:

http://ezeedictionary.com/forum/showthread.php/5344-Image-Mnemonic-For-The-Word-WANE

I believe it was David Bowie who called one of his children Moon Unit.

think that was Frank Zappa(re, moon unit).