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Unfortunately 14a isn't quite &lit as 'these' is redundant in the wordplay (and 'in conclusion' not really required in the definition)

Re 18a, Chambers gives 'to torment, to consume' as meanings for the first word of the answer.

Thanks everyone for your replies and comments, I always enjoy reading the views of others and seeing how they compare with my own. I would have replied sooner but for some reason I've had trouble logging on to the Forum today.

@Simon - You're absolutely right about 'Pine'. Chambers has it as No. 2 under the 2nd definition as a transitive verb "To consume, cause to wear away".

@Elle and Jazzgirl - Thanks for clarification of the plural of 27a (I did say my Latin wasn't up to much). The annoying thing is that, when I checked Chambers last night, it was only 'Sanctum' I looked under, hoping to see it given as a plural - which it didn't. However, today I checked again and found that 'Sancta' itself actually has it's own entry.

@Nodrog, Mattrom, and Matador. Thanks very much for your explanations of 24a, it makes complete sense now, much appreciated.

From reading the comments, I get the impression that the general consensus seems to be that, yes, it was quite difficult, maybe more so than usual, but good fun all the same:-)

Hi Jazz and Elle It is one of the more bizarre quirks of UK English ... and more specifically Oxford. In my day job, I'm obliged to bow to the COD (as opposed to the Shorter and certainly not the OED, which is TOO comprehensive to be useful) on all debatable issues, even though it's much less consistent than either Chambers or Collins. And it's a habit that has seeped into my crosswording, when really it shouldn't, as I suspect the majority of setters use Collins. Anyway on this one, COD ignores both the Latin origin of the word and the US convention and offers only the 'added s' plural. Maybe we should hold a referendum (or two) on the issue? Although, if we generate a large response, we may need several stadia to count the results 🙂

I though in Latin words ending in ....um have plurals ....a and words ending in .....us have plurals .....i
Long time since I did Latin could be wrong.
24a Connection between Branches and my solution is very tenuous other than branches don’t grow in straight lines.

I had reached the same conclusion Phil1000. This one reminded me of the stinkers from earlier in the year. I am approaching the conclusion that there may be more than one compiler afoot

Hi Fop
Yep, I've wondered about that too! However, there are consistent patterns in both the witty, beautifully constructed clues AND the infuriating ones. With regard to the latter, I see a tendency for the setter to work backwards from the solution to compile a clue that (just about) fits. This makes it almost impossible to figure out the solution in the absence of lots of crossing letters. This week's 24A is a prime example as the main definition is shaky, and who would ever think that 'cut back' was an instruction to reverse 'ran'?! So you parse the clue after filling in the solution, rather than vice versa!
I suspect that an editor gets involved from time to time, which has the effect of eliminating the usual 2 or 3 tortuous clues ... but unfortunately sometimes makes the whole puzzle a tad too easy, as was the case throughout most of August.

I fully agree with most of what Brendan says in post 1.
I came here intending to ask about why the first word of 17d is what it is, but just twigged at the last moment.

However, I too don't ''get' the first word of 18a, which I assume is meant to equate with 'consume'.

And I too am puzzled as to why three letters in 24a mean 'cut' (in reverse order, hence 'cut back'.)

Other than that, though, I thought this was a lot of fun.

Phil1000: you should look up a book called The Tao Of Pooh.
( https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tao-Pooh-Benjamin-Hoff/dp/1405293780/ref=sr_1_2 )

Hi JV
I know it! Not convinced, though🙂.