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Got there, certainly some very tricky words. 12a very good and will please Guardian regulars and I liked ‘illiberal’, reminded me of Boatman’s ‘anonymous’ from earlier in the week.
A tremendous achievement of construction from Maskarade I thought!

Hi Jono,

I agree it's a great piece of setting by Maskarade to fit all those theme words in to the answers.

Tough crossword but have battled my through most of it but stuck in the lower right corner.

A hint for 39 down would be appreciated?

Thanks.

Hi Simon,

39d - 4 letter "scores" (that you might get in cricket) + 3 letter Latin word meaning "but" around a theme word - definition "is frightened".

Well this one’s proving to be a challenge. Looking for hints to get a better foothold please.
Let’s start with 15a, 16a, 20d, 40d.

Hi FemmeNoire,

15a - This is the clue with 2 theme words mentioned in the preamble so is 2 theme words + an anagram/"fresh" of "sea air" - definition is a word meaning "old inn for Eastern travellers".

16a - An anagram of 2 words in the clue + a theme word - definition is "those below stairs" (as in Upstairs Downstairs)

20d - Is a straight anagram - definition is "undertakings to be responsible".

40d - Is a humorous definition of the people who might need to count these "woolly jumpers" when they can't s????

15a has 2 theme words with anagram of sea air. 16a 1 theme plus anagram of sit + dreams. 20d anagram of a signature. 40d think of who might count woolly jumpers!

Is 17a = theme word plus 1 letter for active?

Hi IanWil,

17a - Yes, that's it.

Thanks brendan. Not heard of that as an abbreviation for active. Can't think of an example at the moment

Me neither but it is in Chambers.