Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

I don’t know if this is too broad a question, but I have no idea how to parse the second sentence of the preamble. I have about half the grid filled, but have solved none of the category of answers referred to in that sentence, largely because I have no idea what to do with them. Is it saying that each of these words essentially has its own cryptic clue with both definition and wordplay? I just for some reason am struggling to understand the meaning of “definitions in order and wordplay for the string as a whole.” Thanks for any help and no worries if this is considered an invalid question!

crowded morning - the definitions of the multiple words are next to each other in the clue, with the wordplay covering the string of words, rather than wordplay for each definition in isolation.

hope that makes sense (and isnt as impenetrable as the preamble)!

The definitions are in order (either at the beginning or end of the clue) and the wordplay is for the entire string, in order, but not limited by the lengths of individually defined elements.

thanks vm drxx

Sorry for the repeat - should have refreshed the page.

drxx - i think your response was clearer so cm is probably pleased you didnt refresh the page!

No, your last line is clearer by far, andyp (and more concise).

I seem to be in the same place as others with the theme clear but unable to see how the words that only lose one or two letters fit in.
I have two cells left to complete gridfill so tips to solve 5d and 30d would be very welcome.

lumen - do you mean the answers to the clues 5d and 30d, or the associated entries?

Yes the 8 letter answers.