Times 1418 5A, 17A

[strabismus]

handy for nancy only to accept feminine uniform for a start
-s-f-l
It looks like useful. I can can see the start of feminine uniform but can't explain anything else

ultimate misfortune dogs a colony
a-t-i-l
anthill is a colony, but I can't explain it

[ubasses]

useful

[Nical]

Seul = Only in French, in Nancy ( a) It has U, unfirm and F, feminine, added. U se f ul.

[strabismus]

Thank you Nical,
any ideas for the anthill?

[Mamyalynne]

Best I've seen is...

a + nth (ultimate/the best etc) + Ill (misfortune

[kettledrum]

A (from clue) + nth (ultimate) + I’ll (misfortune)

[Nical]

Glad I could help, strabismus. Sorry the typing went wonky! Mamya's Anthill looks good.

[klazomaniac]

A Nth ill
(following/dogging) A

Nth (ultimate)
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/nth?s=t

Ill (misfortune)

[strabismus]

Thank you Nical,

i've just worked out "nth ill" is ultimate misfortune. and it dogs "a"

[strabismus]

Thank you all,
I got there while your answers were on the way