#212026-11-06·Anagram

Cryptic Clue #21

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

#21⭐ Flawless

Difficulty:

Contract to rent rearranged easel(5)

Setter: Acrostic Ace

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Hints:

Post-Solve Analysis

Setter's Editorial Walkthrough

Setter: Acrostic Ace

1. Tripartite Structural Breakdown

Straight Definition (First Word)Contract to rentDictionary synonym of target solution

Wordplay Indicator (Anagram)rearrangedInstructs the operation

Fodder & EnumerationEASEL (5)Yields exactly 5 letters

2. Wordplay Equation

Anagram of [EASEL] = LEASE

3. Mechanics & Setter Deception

"Rearranged" instructs an anagram of the 5 letters in EASEL, forming LEASE ("Contract to rent").

Master this mechanism: Read the complete Anagram Guide →

Check related indicators: Browse Indicator Lexicon →

Clue #21 Questions & Answers

Q1.What is the straight definition in Clue #21?▼

The straight definition is "Contract to rent", placed at the very beginning of the clue under the Extreme Placement Rule.

Q2.How does the wordplay in Clue #21 work?▼

This is a classic Anagram clue. The equation is: Anagram of [EASEL] = LEASE. "Rearranged" instructs an anagram of the 5 letters in EASEL, forming LEASE ("Contract to rent").

Q3.What is the significance of the enumeration (5)?▼

The enumeration (5) signifies that the target solution consists of exactly 5 letters.

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