===[**WCF**]=== Chain Crypt

By way of reminder, the object of this game is to solve (and briefly explain) the clue presented by the previous poster and then set your own clue.

Anything from the (worldwide) crossword arena is acceptable by way of clue style, but if you stray too far from the pure path beware the scourge of... Pandora's WET NOODLE!

The puzzle could be an old favourite or something of your own making. Don't be shy: this is for everyone, not just the old hands!

For those unfamiliar with crossword clues who want to give it a try, there is plenty of guidance online and a quite entertaining and instructive book (not just for beginners) available from amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Times-Crack-Cryptic-Crosswords/dp/0007546521/ref=dp_ob_image_bk and no doubt elsewhere, and for those who like British Crosswords you may like to try these (which are free): http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords.

There is nothing to prevent (say) a couple of related clues if offering a single clue cramps your style.

If there are multiple answers involved, there is no restriction against one person solving all and the solver of the final clue/part is the one who goes next.

Obviously you need to await confirmation of a correct answer before posting your own puzzle, but please then do so reasonably promptly: if having answered correctly you are not going to be able to set a follow-up clue within about the next 18 hours, please pass your turn to someone else so that the game does not stall.

To save the poor demented solvers from excessive brain damage , you should consider revealing one letter of the answer when the question is set, unless the answer is very short/easy so that provision of a letter hint at the outset would spoil the sport!

If no-one is biting within about 24 hours you should start dropping additional hints.

To try to give everyone a fair crack of the whip, the immediately previous setter is asked not to post a solution to the current clue within the first 24 hours.

The weighty trophy to be passed to whoever solves your clue is the jewel-encrusted World Clue Federation Championship Belt
===[**WCF**]===

Constructive criticism and cheerful badinage are to be expected, not to mention a certain amount of national rivalry, but above all, have a bit of fun!

Next clue:

Bans partner's parents after divorce? (7)

outlaws

Here you go: ===[**WCF**]===

Ta.

German/French sculptor/American actor (6)

G/Rodin

correct Sherlock===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, manxy!

Nanny runs off with me at last (5) 1 e

nurse

runs off = nurs
m(e) at last

You can run off with this around your waist, Cue! ===[**WCF**]===

Many thanks, Cheryl

Hearing reveals pumpkin was stabbed! (5)

Hmmm...thought this one was pretty straight forward unless I've done something noodle-worthy

Gored = stabbed - sounds like gourd (hearing pumpkin)

Good one, Lex. Stick this on ===[**WCF**]===

Gourd?! This French kid nevah heard that word;
if you'd have ask me what it meant, I probably
would have said "an overeater"; from the French
word "gourmand"
Makes for a good(?) crypt: man dressed as a pumpkin!!

Thank you Cue.

Denis, my French dictionary tells me gourd = calebasse.

God beset by prayer for large number (8) - one e

Direct on right, answer starts with a consonant and ends with a vowel.

pleTHORa

You Thorily hammered that one!
===[**WCF**]===

A plethora of thanks Lex.

Short teacher for French (4) aucun e

prof
pro+f

PROliFic solve deserves ===[**WCF**]===

Merci CD

Name the object left in hollow tree (5)

title

the object = it
left = reverse
hollow tree = te

Hey, hecka nice solve Sue!!

Thank you, Denis!

Good solve, but there is no reverse.

Uh oh! You're right, Lex. It's t(it)(l)e.

Well done Pandora. You have earned the title Master Cryptic Solver and you get to wear this as your reward ===[**WCF**]===

Nice title, manxman, but I think I have to share it with Lex.

Rock singer quit (6)

Direct on right

resign

rock "singer"

You'll rock this belt, Cue! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Pandora

Reportedly, globular pestilence first found in recess area (10)

playground (sounds like plague round)

You'll be the talk of the playground sporting this, Cheryl ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you, Cue! I'm always the talk of the playground!

Moving out of limbo bursting with energy (6) 1 e

mobile (limbo+e)anag.

Try doing the limbo wearing this, manxman! ===[**WCF**]===

Now that would be a funny sight to see Sherlock

Cart pulled back a distance (4)

dray (yard)

correct it is CD ===[**WCF**]===

Merci M'sieu.

Wheels with suitable French element (6) no e, 2 vowels

Direct on right; there's a slang word in there!

car/bon

Here's a bonbon for you Cheryl: ===[**WCF**]===

Mmmmmmmm! Thanks, Denis!

Defamation of a person is wrong (9) 1 e

aspersion (anag.)

Casting the belt your way, manxman! ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you Sherlock

Boy has empty little dipper (5)

Ladle = dipper - lad (boy) + le (empty little)

What took you so long Lex ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you.

A pair of shorts for the Belt, and not an e in either of them:

1. Animal found in alarming numbers (3)

2. Old bird making endless lament (3)

1. gnu (hidden word)
2. moa(n)

You can have a gnother turn with the Belt: ===[**WCF*]===

Why, thank you, Lex!

Our DNA has mutated backwards (6)

our dna = around

Put this belt around your waist, Denis! ===[**WCF*]===

Yer wish is my command!

Two strikes using screwball (7) no e

Direct on right, cvcccvc

ding/bat

You dinged that one Cheryl ===[**WCF**]===

Could have been: Two hits by Edith Bunker!

Thanks, Denis!

Undecided about getting chilled (4)

Wow, I didn't expect this one to still be unsolved!

Direct on right.
2 indicators.
1 e

Iced = chilled - reverse container clue (about getting)

That's the one! Here's your belt. ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you kindly!

Super-vile, possibly (9)

Ahhhh...an @lit!?
supervile = repulsive (possibly = indicator)??

Just put there for you to pulverise!
===[**WCF**]===

Merci M'sieu!

Gone out West (4) took one e along...

double definition; cecc

left

...and you're left with this gem ===[**WCF**]===

Merci CD

Dwelling in manor, I pay rent (3)

Rip = rent - container clue (dwelling in)

One belt for rent Lex...===[**WCF**]===

Thank you: tenancy accepted (probably only by the hour)!

Two for the belt, one e in each:

1. Bass, perhaps, ditching river for burn (5)

2. Hype for unknown river flowing through 1 (7) - slang alert

Direct on right for 1 and left for 2.

1. singe(r)

Still working on #2

So far so good...now inject two more letters...

s(y)(r)inge

===[**WCF**]===

Thank you, Kevin!

Unlikely reason to impound instrument (4)

unlikeLY REason (impound = indicator)

You can wear this while playing your lyre, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

Merci Cheryl: now I know what a lyre is !

Notwithstanding, I post fine crypts (2,5,2) 1 e

in spite of (anagram)

In spite of jealous neighbors, wear this: ===[**WCF**]===

thank you

Articles in Spanish trains (3)

one solitary e

els

Sherlock ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you, Manxman!

Solid ledge to hold loaf (4)

solID LEdge ; IDLE = LOAF

Can't fool you, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

Merci beaucoup Cheryl.

Task for penitent one? (3) no e

Job (double def'n)

Yepper!===[**WCF**]===

Weave baskets, beginning incursion (5)

Braid = weave - b (baskets beginning) + raid (incursion)

Correct one Lex ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you MxM.

Book accommodation with credit, and transport for Halloween (10)

(B)(rooms)tick

Fly away with this: ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Kevin!

Here's one I saw recently that had me thinking:

Artist has cement on inventory (9) 1 e

Direct on left. 3 vowels total, none the same.

cvccvcvcc

cacce/cicc

pastelist. paste=cement, list=inventory.

Tough one, even Denis said so.

Yes, very tough, Curly! Here's your artist of the year award! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Cheryl.

Hat for a gangster.(4) no e's

hood

All yours mxm. ===[**WCF**]===

thank you curly

Team moves, taking shot (4)

no e's

direct is on the right

Ahh..... Don't have time to tend the thread so I won't post. Nice

Ta Cue vccv

ammo (hidden word)

Well done Sherlock ===[**WCF**]===

Nifty!

Thank you, manxman!

Tied after turning back the French soccer team, maybe (6)

Hmmm...ELeven (11 players on field in soccer?)
EL = LE(the) in reverse
even = tied

This will look fabulous tied around your waist, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

11 thank you's Cheryl!

Smiles after short talk on feelings, maybe (8) no e's

chagrins
short talk = cha(t)
smiles = grins

This shouldn't cause any chagrins ===[**WCF**]===

New thread coming up: please post the next clue there.