BLANKOUT

A crossword you construct yourself, adding the answers and the blanks as you go. The clues are in sets of one, two, three or four, guiding you to one, two, three or four words in each line (across) or column (down) indicated at the beginning of each set of clues. Each complete word has a blank at its beginning and end (unless it’s at the edge of the grid). Blanks are arranged symmetrically. To help you, we’ve given you a start with the answer to the clue on Line 9 – ‘Oversight’ – which yields the word ‘Error’. This must sit in the centre of the line to preserve the symmetry.

ACROSS

1 Upper part of a dress; Person

travelling on ice

3 For all time; Jeer at

5 Food expert

6 In times gone by; Compass direction

7 UK peers

8 Epitomise or manifest; Mouth part

with tastebuds

9 Oversight

10 Paving stone; Zone

11 Throbbing pain; Be informed

12 Half-open; Border, rim

13 Male duck

14 Humiliating failure; Piece of gold

15 Superlative of ‘bad’

16 Ascertain the age of; Fine

scented powder

17 Muslim religious leader

19 Tanned animal skin; Feebleness

21 Prime of life; Stretch

DOWN

A Having too many employees

B Officer’s valet; In a new or

different way

C Hooded serpent; Separated

D Sneer at, taunt; Taproom;

Ribald, bawdy

F Large box; Make-up applied to

the lids; Field of combat

H Room where books are kept;

Brave fighter

J Military colour; Inflexible;

Glittery fabric

L Queen’s chair; Wonder;

Become successful

M Irate emotion; Set belief

N Indentation; Leaned over to

one side

O Beneficial to health