#12026-10-26·Deletion

Cryptic Clue #1

Use the 4 progressive hint tiers below or solve cleanly with 0 hints!

#1⭐ Flawless

Difficulty:

European country without adult needing food(6)

Setter: Puzzler Prime

Type using your keyboard or the on-screen keys below.

Hints:

Post-Solve Analysis

Setter's Editorial Walkthrough

Setter: Puzzler Prime

1. Tripartite Structural Breakdown

Straight Definition (Final Word)needing foodDictionary synonym of target solution

Wordplay Indicator (Deletion)withoutInstructs the operation

Fodder & EnumerationEuropean country (HUNGARY) - adult (A) (6)Yields exactly 6 letters

2. Wordplay Equation

HUNGARY - A = HUNGRY

3. Mechanics & Setter Deception

The European country is HUNGARY. When you remove "A" (Adult film certificate abbreviation), you get HUNGRY, which satisfies the definition "needing food".

Master this mechanism: Read the complete Deletion Guide →

Check related indicators: Browse Indicator Lexicon →

Clue #1 Questions & Answers

Q1.What is the straight definition in Clue #1?▼

The straight definition is "needing food", placed at the very end of the clue under the Extreme Placement Rule.

Q2.How does the wordplay in Clue #1 work?▼

This is a classic Deletion clue. The equation is: HUNGARY - A = HUNGRY. The European country is HUNGARY. When you remove "A" (Adult film certificate abbreviation), you get HUNGRY, which satisfies the definition "needing food".

Q3.What is the significance of the enumeration (6)?▼

The enumeration (6) signifies that the target solution consists of exactly 6 letters.

More Deletion Clues to Practice

View All →

Clue #28Level 1/4

"Downpour as locomotive loses head" (4)