Puzzle Answers - LABYRINTH - January 3-4, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Puzzle Answers - LABYRINTH - January 3-4, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Chartres Labyrinth Photograph by Jeff Saward http://www.labyrinthos.net/  

Labyrinth | by Mike Shenk 

Across

1 • French city whose cathedral floor features a labyrinth = CHARTRES


• Lead, for example = ROLE


2 • Prepares potatoes, in a way = RICES


• How Pyrrhic victories are won (3 wds.) = AT A COST


3 • Nostalgic number = OLDIE


• King’s enemies = RACISTS



4 • Like some oils and candles = SCENTED


• Correct for publishing = AMEND


5 • Fit for farming = RURAL


• Masthead setting, often (2 wds.) = PAGE TWO


6 • Did a drum major’s job (2 wds.) = KEPT TIME

• Fiddlehead source = FERN



7 • Dramatist with three Pulitzer Prizes = ALBEE

• Thug = GORILLA


8 • A matter of degrees? = ANGLE


• Far below the actual value, say = NOMINAL


9 • Tennis star with a record 17 Grand Slam titles = FEDERER

• Distinguish oneself = SHINE


10 • Intensely engaged = IMMERSED

• Give up = CEDE



11 • Cold season purchase = TISSUES

• Monopoly collections = RENTS


12 • Pugilist’s prize = PURSE

• Doubloons from a sunken galleon, e.g. = SALVAGE


13 • Seeing the sites = ONLINE


• One might be good with figures = SKATER


14 • Common name for pyridine-3-carboxylic acid = NIACIN

• Playing hooky, perhaps = ABSENT



Winding

• Concern for working parents (2 wds.) = CHILD CARE

• Fed subjects (2 wds.) = INTEREST RATES

• Purely theoretical = ACADEMIC

• Fowl poles? = ROOSTS

• Disappoints (2 wds.) = LETS DOWN

• Promise of Christianity (2 wds.) = ETERNAL LIFE

• Pool settings (2 wds.) = GAME ROOMS

• Mao’s realm (2 wds.) = RED CHINA

• Sparing the rod = LENIENT


• Gila monster’s habitat = DESERT

• Invalidate = NEGATE

• Frugal fellow = SAVER

• Polio vaccine developer = SALK

• In it, the square of 8 is 71 (2 wds.) = BASE NINE

• 2000 Broadway show including the song “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!” = SEUSSICAL

• Quarrel (Hyph.) = RUN-IN

• Pollyanna quality = OPTIMISM

• Render harmless = DEFANG

• Groucho expression = LEER

• Home to the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world = SERENGETI

• Batter’s place = PLATE


• “The Tyger” poet = BLAKE


• Walkman, to the iPod, e.g. = PRECURSOR

Puzzle Answers - TWENTY-SIX OUT - December 27-28, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Puzzle Answers - TWENTY-SIX OUT - December 27-28, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Across

1. Peg gets away with candy = TOFFEE

peg = (TEE) + away = (OFF)


5. For audience, singers as a group take to the ice with dazzle = CORUSCATE

CHORUS + SKATE (audience = HOMONYM)


10. Lopsided defeat overwhelms Oakland player in bad day at the ballpark = RAINOUT

lopsided defeat = (ROUT) + Oakland player = (A) + (IN)


11. Horseshoe Peak, Iowa, is a nice place to live = UTOPIA

horseshoe = (U) + peak = (TOP) + Iowa = (IA)


13. Tore around lake and made waves = RIPPLED

tore = (RIPPED) + (L)ake


14. Protestant group jokes about Rudner in comedy  = PURITANS

jokes = (PUNS) + Rudner in comedy = (RITA)


15. Faculty I jailed in prison term = SENTIENCE

(I) + prison term = (SENTENCE)


18. Red spy caught in Massachusetts = MAGENTA

spy = (AGENT) + Massachusetts = (MA)


19. Mac tried doctored proof of work = TIMECARD

MAC TRIED [ANAGRAM]


20. Hype and hoo-ha for a museum name = PRADO

hype = (PR) + hoo-ha = (ADO)


21. Hot spots with good puzzles = GRIDDLES

(G)ood + puzzles = (RIDDLES)


24. Quality of an ape: primarily, his buoyancy = HAIRINESS

(H)is + buoyancy = (AIRINESS)


27. Mantra adopted by newlywed is a cliché = BROMIDE

mantra = (OM) + newlywed = (BRIDE)


30. Fight starter: a character in “Twilight” = BELLA

fight starter = (BELL) + (A)


31. Statement from a mathematician garbled in a quote = EQUATION

IN A QUOTE [ANAGRAM]


33. Henry VIII’s second tree pronounced very old = ANTIQUE

Henry VIII’s second = (ANNE) + tree = (TEAK) [HOMONYM]


35. Oddly dry eyes at sad Beatles song = YESTERDAY

(EYES) + (DRY) + (AT) [ANAGRAM]


37. Without having a theater debut, duet sang freely = UNSTAGED

(DUET) + (SANG) [ANAGRAM]


38. Fashioned a great ID for an animal (2 wds.) = EAR TAG

(A) + (GREAT) [ANAGRAM]


39. Homer, in Italian lake, makes a sort of picture = CHROMO

homer = (HR) + Italian lake = (COMO)


40. Embarrassed Dickens baddie is seized by call for quiet = SHEEPISH

Dickens baddie = (HEEP) + (IS) + call for quiet = (SH)


41. Hard water’s running into the ground = EARTHWARDS

HARD WATERS [ANAGRAM]


42. After gym, fish around for a bit of gorp = PEANUT

after gym = (PU) + fish = (NET) + (A)


Down

1. Spare part adapted for roofing materials = TARPAPERS

SPARE PART [ANAGRAM]


2. Fahrenheit elevation in icebox = FRIDGE

(F)ahrenheit + elevation = (RIDGE)


3. Baloney for a cardinal back in autumn = FALDERAL

cardinal = (RED) + autumn = (FALL)


4. James, the singer, following deal in “Family Feud” = VENDETTA

James the singer = (ETTA) + deal = (VEND)


5. Faucet’s former temperature within upper limit (2 wds.) = COLD TAP

former = (OLD) (T)emperature + upper limit = CAP


6. Pharaoh keeps stray back in castle tower = TURRET

Pharoah = TUT + stray = ERR


7. Small heart label = STICKER

(S)mall + heart = (TICKER)


8. Shoot a ray gun at a Mexican revolutionary = ZAPATA

shoot a ray gun = (ZAP) + (AT) + (A)


9. Carl’s van slowed and stopped = CEASED


12. Hardened around the face of John Hurt = INJURED

hardened = INURED + (J)ohn


15. We own this reassembled fairy tale figure (2 wds.) = SNOW WHITE

(WE) + (OWN) + (THIS) [ANAGRAM]


16. Number Rev. Spooner might call neato, swell (Hyph.) = FIFTY-NINE

neato = (NIFTY) + swell = (FINE) [SPOONERIZED]


17. Added fee for new exec at six (2 wds.) = EXCISE TAX

(EXEC) + (AT) + (SIX) [ANAGRAM]


22. Satisfactory speed and average float for orbiter, maybe =  SPACEGAIT

(S)atisfactory + speed = (PACE) +


23. One grieving for our Navy’s leader in French sea = MOURNER

(OUR) + (N)avy + French sea = (MER)


25. Shallow leak slowly covers type (hyph.) = SKIN-DEEP

leak slowly = (SEEP) + type = (KIND)


26. A tailless reptile in red dye = ALIZARIN

(A) + (LIZAR)d + (IN)


28. Deny Ovid was wrong = DISAVOW

(OVID) + (WAS) [ANAGRAM]


29. Celebrates skill in bakery display = PARTIES

skill = (ART) + bakery display = (PIES)


31. Lead astray with deuces wild = SEDUCE

(DEUCES) [ANAGRAM]


32. Arrange for passport with missing pages = ASSORT

(PASSPORT) – (P)age – (P)age [pages]


34. African magic has its martial training = JUJITSU

African magic = (JUJU) + (ITS)


36. Magician who’s often silent or who’s narrating = TELLER



MISSING LETTERS

Rows (top to bottom)

O
U
P
N
M
D
I
B
Q
Y
G
H
A


Columns (Left to Right)

S
E
R
W
V
L
F
T
K
X
Z
J
C

Puzzle Answers - Ambiguities - Harper's Magazine January 2014 (SPOILER ALERT!)

Puzzle Answers - Ambiguities - Harper's Magazine January 2014 (SPOILER ALERT!)

"The Best Little Texas in Whorehouse"

ACROSS

1. See instructions (13) = PALINDROMANIA



11. Mad money assuming company has thrifty management (7) = ECONOMY

(MONEY) + (CO)mpany [ANAGRAM]



12. Female writer’s name, in the long run? (4) = JONG [Erica]

long run = (JOG) + (N)ame



13. Bishop washed out a significant continental address (5) = BWANA



15. Being close for a woman about to acquire a cape (12) = TOGETHERNESS

(TO) + acquire = (GET) + woman['s] = (HER)



18. (See instructions) (17, four words) = OH CAMERAS ARE MACHO



20. Heartless oil company (English portion) getting cleared (11) = EXONERATION

(EXXON) – [Minus middle letter (X)] + (E)nglish + portion = (RATION)



23. What the Selective Service does for those making plans = DRAFTSMEN

DRAFTS MEN



28. (See instructions) (18, five words) = DEB SAT IN ANITAS BED



31. By necessity, in musical by Loesser, his leading character enters just before the end (10) = INEVITABLY

IN + musical by Loesser = (EVITA)



33. Exported Dutch tire announced = BOER

tire BORE [HOMONYM}



34. Initiating it: a license to produce biased writing? (6) = ITALIC

(IT) + (A) + (LIC)ense



37. (See instructions) (17, six words) = BUT ANITA SAT IN A TUB



38. Trailer played back is about me (4) = SEMI

(IS) + (ME) [REVERSED]



39. Sounds like a breakfast show on TV (6) = SERIAL

breakfast = CEREAL [HOMONYM]



40. Registered trademark with earliest organized shopkeepers (9) = RETAILERS

EARLIEST [ANAGRAM]



41. Fantasy creature is described by Herb Klein initially (8) = BASILISK

herb = (BASIL) + (IS) + (K)lein





DOWN

1. Pacific telephone system follows quietly, each incorporating extra energy = PEACEABLE

quietly = ( P ) + each = (EA) + telephone system = (CABLE) + energy = (E)



2. Looks over little woman; rich and earthy (5) = LOAMY

(LO)oks + little woman (AMY)



3. Mutinous antielitist, taking the head off royalty, is found in space! (12) = INTERSTITIAL

(ANTIELITIST + ( R )oyalty) [ANAGRAM]



4. No room in hospital for a Jordanian queen (4) = NOOR

(NO) + hospital = (OR)



5. Some spirits turn out to be right, of course (4) = RYES

( R )ight + of course = (YES)



6. Number of a station represented in Act One (6) = OCTANE

ACT ONE [ANAGRAM]



7. Name in engineering circles who’s famous for month, hour! (4) = MOHR [Christian Otto]

(MO)nth + hour = (HR)



8. Not quite ordinary opera (6) = NORMA

ordinary = NORMA(l)



9. Natural order, in nine (6) = INNATE

IN EIGHT [HOMONYM]



10. ID info or a range perhaps (3) = AGE



13. Adventurous sounds played in an alley (4) = BOLD

played in an alley = BOWLED [HOMONYM]



14. Sporting place whose hero shamelessly takes in university (10) = WHOREHOUSE

(WHOSE) + (HERO) + (U)niversity



16. Gross hovel, fulsome, made with quantities of dirt (10) = SHOVELFULS

gros(S HOVEL, FULS)ome,



17. Air for heir—on guard (4) = SONG

heir = (SON) + (G)uard



19. Boxer cries, can’t start, throws up (4) = ARFS

b(ARFS)



20. State you’re seeking meatier parts (7) = EMIRATE

MEATIER [ANAGRAM]



21. Civilized nations supported by southern seed-sowers! (8) = ONANISTS

(NATIONS + (S)outhern) [ANAGRAM]



22. Sanctions causing relocation of fair site (8) = RATIFIES

FAIR SITE [ANAGRAM]



24. Island tribe’s leader going for new ingredient in hummus (6) = TAHINI

island = TAHI(t)I – (T)ribe + (N)ew



25. In mines, you need five round axes (6) = PIVOTS

mines = (PITS) + five = (V) + round = (O)



26. Grow dark and dominant, almost (5) = LATEN

dominant = LATEN(t)



27. A little shot, rising to superior positions (5) = ABBET



28. One calling it a knight? Masseur, if his head is down! (6) = DUBBER

masseur = r(UBBER) + (D)own



29. Who is named by the leaders of Denmark, Yugoslavia, Bangladesh, Brazil, and Britain? Not a living soul! (6) = DYBBUK

(D)enmark + (Y)ugoslavia + (B)angladesh + (B)razil + Britain = (UK)



30. Play doctor with a lot of doctors (5) = DRAMA

doctor = (DR) + lot of doctors = (AMA)



32. Make use of a Dell, as the saying goes (5) = AVAIL



35. Animal shelter transported by rail (4) = LAIR

RAIL [ANAGRAM]



36. Something to be avoided in losing or taking on its element (4) = CARB





BLUE SQUARES (Creator)

JON AGEEs

Puzzle Answers - Candy Canes - December 20–21, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Puzzle Answers - Candy Canes - December 20–21, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

The Journal Sunday Puzzle | edited by Mike Shenk
Candy Canes | by Patrick Berry



Canes

1. Italian region considered the birthplace of the Renaissance = TUSCANY

Near-extinct relative of the coyote (2 wds.) = RED WOLF


2. Cleaning brand owned by the Clorox Company (Hyph.) = PINE-SOL

Island nation reachable from Florida by ferry = BAHAMAS


3. Valiantly refuse to stop (2 wds.) = PRESS ON

Small golf group = TWOSOME


4. Young boys, informally = SHAVERS

“I have no problem with that” (2 wds.) = SUITS ME


5. Up on the deck = TOPSIDE

Goes by = ELAPSES


6. Internet service that’s the focus of the 2013 documentary “Downloaded” = NAPSTER

Story with a lesson = PARABLE


7. Impolite and vulgar (Hyph.) = ILL-BRED

Poem in which Polyphemus is blinded = ODYSSEY


8. Prickling with excitement = ATINGLE

Receptionist’s device = HEADSET


9. Draws a caricature of = DEPICTS

Enjoying success after success (3 wds.) = ON A ROLL


10. Plantation house feature = VERANDA

Met with a welcome = GREETED


11. Desert sights = MIRAGES

Tool used to cut metal = HACKSAW



Rows

• Fills with joy = ELATES

Pop alternative = DADDY


• Game period = HALF

Unvarnished truth, with “the” = LOWDOWN


• Holy Ark’s contents = TORAH

Wee bit = SMIDGE


• Arrive too late to see = MISS

Yosemite National Park features = CANYONS


• Untanned hide = PELT

Stayed loyal (to) = ADHERED


• Assume to be true = POSIT

In need of an airing = SMELLY


• Bananas = INSANE

Judiciously decreases, with “down” = PARES


• Sparrow’s portrayer = DEPP

Pioneer offerings = STEREOS


• Anthropoid animals = APES

Overhauls = REVAMPS


• Nearly tied = CLOSE

State gem of the Gem State = GARNET


• What the Bessemer process produces = STEEL

Her waist was widened in 1997 = BARBIE


• Like car engines at stoplights = IDLING

Run along = LEAVE


• Approximately = ABOUT

Illusionist’s interjection = PRESTO


• Dieters avoid them = SNACKS

Clued in = AWARE


• Body parts that get clogged = SINUSES

“I want you to have this = HERE


Numbered Squares = PINE NEEDLES

Puzzle Answers - Acrostic - December 13, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Puzzle Answers - Acrostic - December 13, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Written and edited by Mike Shenk


"The Art of Acting"

If by any chance a playwright wishes to express a political opinion or a moral opinion or a philosophy, he must be a good enough craftsman to do it with so much spice of entertainment in it that the public get the message without being aware of it.

–Noel Coward


A. Weak or indecisive; insipid (Hyph.) = NAMBY PAMBY

B. Ruler made judge of the dead after being murdered by his brother Set = OSIRIS

C. Chalk upland of Surrey that’s home to the Derby Stakes (2 wds.) = EPSOM DOWNS

D. 2012 film whose main character’s full name is Piscine Molitor Patel (3 wds.) = LIFE OF PI

E. Beverage whose name means “small hood” from its color resembling that of monks’ cowls = CAPPUCCINO

F. Paper tiger, perhaps = ORIGAMI

G. Identification and persecution of those with differing views (2 wds.) = WITCH HUNT

H. Major league team owned for its first 36 years by Gene Autry = ANGELS

I. Comeback; laboratory vessel = RETORT

J. Cynic philosopher who lived in a tub in the Athenian Agora = DIOGENES

K. North American finch also known as a chewink = TOWHEE

L. 1963 book Laura Bush chose as one of her five favorites in a Wall Street Journal piece (3 wds.) = HOP ON POP

M. Quaver (2 wds.) = EIGHTH NOTE

N. Atmospheric phenomenon named for a Roman goddess = AURORA

O. Hit song that Janet Jackson performed during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show (2 wds.) = RHYTHM NATION

P. Greek hero who slew the Minotaur = THESEUS

Q. Dungeon whose only access is a door in its ceiling = OUBLIETTE

R. Swerve from side to side = FISHTAIL

S. Carbon dioxide in high concentrations, e.g. = ASPHYXIANT

T. Have a chin-wag (3 wds.) = CHEW THE FAT

U. Area south of SoHo and west of Chinatown = TRIBECA

V. Refreshing treat for boardwalk strollers (2 wds.) = ITALIAN ICE

W. Oscar nominee for “21 Grams” and “The Impossible” (2 wds.) = NAOMI WATTS

X. Alternative name for the number ten duotrigintillion = GOOGOL

Puzzle Answers - Cigar Boxes - December 6, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Puzzle Answers - Cigar Boxes - December 6, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

by Patrick Berry, Edited by Mike Shenk

Rows

1.
 “Beautiful downtown” city where “Laugh-In” was taped = BURBANK

 Barbershop quartet singer’s headwear (2 wds.) = STRAW HAT

2.
 Agitate (2 wds.) = STIR UP

 Radio host John = TESH

 “Vision of Love” singer = CAREY

3.
 Armed Forces middle-ranker, for short = NONCOM

 The “A” of Chester A. Arthur = ALAN

 Composer of the U.S.’s official national march = SOUSA

4.
 Blacken = CHAR

 Chip brand since 1932 = LAYS

 Bedeviling, with “on” = PREYING

5.
 Natives of Tallinn = ESTONIANS

 Building with a marquee = CINEMA

6.
 Sudden fearful feeling = CHILL

 Difficult to dissuade = ARDENT

 One of Rome’s seven = HILL

7.
 Not at all bright = DREARY

 White fall = SNOW

 Crime film centerpiece (9) = HEIST

8.
 Marital status signifier = RING

 Novelist Malraux = ANDRE

 Be the boss of = MANAGE

9.
 Pub crawls = BENDERS

 Hefty slice = SLAB

 Eat in style = DINE


10.
 ___ Day (spring holiday) = ARBOR

 Partnership for Peace alliance: Abbr. = NATO

 Enthrall = RAVISH

11.
 Like highways but not byways = WIDE

 Blue jeans reinforcer = RIVET

 Scarring experience = ORDEAL

12.
 “Just one more ___ ...” = THING

 Digital Audio Tape creator = SONY

 Former California congressman Gary = CONDIT

13.
 Office policy update, often = MEMO

 Eyeball (2 wds.) = LOOK AT

 Bob in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame = SEGER

14.
 Kill time in a bookstore = BROWSE

 Tree in the pine family = LARCH

 Severely worn, as tires = BALD

15.
 Lipton competitor = NESTEA

 Part of a pescetarian’s diet = FISH

 Express a view = OPINE


Boxes
 Shareholder’s sum (8) = DIVIDEND

 Tapped out (8) = BANKRUPT

 Most tanned (8) = BROWNEST

 Like almost 30% of Borneo’s population (9) = MALAYSIAN

 Accurately foretelling the future (9) = PRESCIENT

 Walter’s 1984 running mate (9) = GERALDINE

 Group that receives online newsletters (5, 4) = EMAIL LIST

 First Book-of-the-Month Club selection by an African-American writer (6, 3) = NATIVE SON

 Type of paper used in binders (5-4) = LOOSE-LEAF

 Contiguous with (9) = BORDERING

 Disturb by entering suddenly (5, 2, 2) = BURST IN ON

 Containers seen in alleys (5, 4) = TRASH CANS

 “The Today Show” regular from 1973 to 2010 (4, 6) = GENE SHALIT

 Dance performed by 1920s flappers (10) = CHARLESTON

 Beatles song by John Lennon that’s supposedly autobiographical (7, 3) = NOWHERE MAN

 Highest rank in the Anglican Church (10) = ARCHBISHOP

 “Please be patient—I’m almost done” (4, 4, 2) = BEAR WITH ME

 Job for productive people? (5-7) = CHILD-REARING

 Fictional talk show host whose sidekick is Hank Kingsley (5, 7) = LARRY SANDERS

 “MythBusters” garments (10, 5) = LABORATORY COATS

 Horrified listener’s question (4, 3, 3, 6) = WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

Puzzle Answers - Laddergram - The Wall Street Journal Saturday Puzzle - November 29, 2014 (SPOILER ALERT!)

Laddergram

The Journal Saturday Puzzle - November 29, 2014 - Wall Street Journal

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon

edited by Mike Shenk

----------------------

Across

1. Express delight in wedding ring (4) = GRIN
weddin(G RIN)g

4. Material influenced by audition (5) = SUEDE
influenced by [HOMONYM] = SWAYED

5. Left standing by altar area, run out (5) = LAPSE
(L)eft + altar area = (APSE)

10. Deity sheltering cold snowbird (5) = JUNCO
deity = (JUNO) + (C)old

11. God of the Italians involved in slick foolishness (6) = IDIOCY
god of the Italians = (DIO) + slick = (ICY)

12. Passing boat recreation area (4) = PARK
(P)assing + boat = (ARK)

15. Bush changed places for connecting flights (4) = HUBS
bush [ANAGRAM]

16. Cheese a moron processed (6) = ROMANO
a moron [ANAGRAM]

17. Miles from Hollywood, carrying Kingsley’s flower (7) = VERBENA
Miles from hollywood = (VERA) + Kingsley (BEN)

19. Annoying teacher performed show (6) = DIDACT
performed (DID) + show = (ACT)

20. Transfer $100 in bit of business (5) = DECAL
$100 = (C) + bit of business = (DEAL)

21. Guys start to use list of options (4) = MENU
guys = (MEN) + start to (U)se

23. Full of enthusiasm, superstar singer returned (4) = AVID
superstar = (DIVA) [REVERSED]

25. Radiation-powered rocket loaded with last of fuel (5)= SOLAR
rocket = (SOAR) + last of fue(L)

26. Zip outfit with stylish provenance (6) = ORIGIN

28. Mimic an agitated little shooter (7) = MINICAM
mimic an [ANAGRAM]

29. Screenwriter’s mobile phone found outside of Denver’s terminal (6) = EPHRON
(PHONE) + Denve(R)'s [LAST LETTER]; Nora Ephron

31. Wrap one secured from behind (4) = TOGA
one = (A) + secured (GOT) [REVERSED]

33. Patch up rats (4) = DARN

34. Sacking buddy, rub the wrong way (6) = BURLAP
buddy = (PAL) + RUB [REVERSED]

35. Employed strong emotion in high definition (5) = HIRED
strong emotion = IRE + high definition = HD

36. Restorative rest and facial treatments in retreat (5) = SLEEP
facial treatments = (PEELS) [REVERSED]

37. Linger around a Thai appetizer (5) = SATAY
linger = (STAY) + A

38. Wild West worry (4) = STEW
WEST [ANAGRAM]



Down

1. Firearm king’s sticky matter (4) = GUNK
firearm = (GUN) + (K)ing

2. Strange reverie about third-rate home theater equipment (8) = RECEIVER
(REVERIE) + third-rate = (C) [ANAGRAM]

3. Hero not doing much for listeners (4) = IDOL
not doing much = IDLE [HOMONYM]

6. Dodo bird unable to fly in relief (7) = AIRHEAD

7. Small town’s post office stuff in a basket (6) = PODUNK
post office = PO + stuff in a basket = DUNK

8. South Caribbean island diver’s gear (5) = SCUBA
(S)outh + (C)aribbean

9. Seeing things empty, for sure (4) = EYES
(E)mpty + for sure = (YES)

10. Back among Navajo, drink from an urn (4) = JAVA
n(AVAJ)o [REVERSED]

12. Cat turned out of bed by mom (4) = PUMA
out of bed = (UP) [REVERSED] + mom = (MA)

13. Tooth broken by you in Berlin is in uniform sections (6) = MODULAR
tooth = MOLAR + you in German = (DU)

14. Shape beginning of creative past in cave dwelling (7) = DECAGON
beginning of (C)reative + past = (AGO) + cave dwelling = (DEN)

18. Container holding large pancake (4) = BLIN
container = (BIN) + (L)arge

19. Lucy’s partner’s different side (4) = DESI
SIDE [ANAGRAM]

21. Handcuff guy with beer holding cup (7) = MANACLE
guy = (MAN) + (beer = (ALE) + (C)up)

22. Reference covering gear for rockers in tent venue (8) = CAMPSITE
reference = CITE + gear for rockers = AMPS

24. Character flipped wig in disgusted outburst (6) = FIGURE

27. Country I governed (4) = IRAN
I + governed = (RAN)

28. Big wheel in mound of snow (5) = MOGUL

30. Crowd was informed in speech (4) = HERD
informed in speech (HEARD) [ANAGRAM]

31. Checks pills (4) = TABS

32. Great pressure in front of lid (4) = PHAT
(P)ressure + lid = (HAT)

33. Beaver’s dad going retro with tie (4) = DRAW
Beaver's dad = WARD [REVERSED]


WORDS OF LADDERGRAM (CENTER CLUE = ENTROPY)

1. ORDER
2. OLDER
3. ELDER
4. EIDER
5. CIDER
6. CODER
7. CORER
8. CORES
9. CORPS
10. COOPS
11. CHOPS
12. CHAPS
13. CHAOS