Spectator N0 2645

[Matakari]

Good morning, a tricky one by Fieldfare, just looking at 1a! Help with the following would be appreciated. Many thanks in advance!

25a Rank covered in the Tatler (4) : ???T

29a Amateur not fully taught to employ unknown weedkiller (8) : A????I?E

36a I tense a part of finger to push back tongue (7) : ?????A?

39a Bewitches flies, leaving one twitching, with lots of laughter (3-6) : ?????O?T?

5d Meaning to authorise one taking plane out of Luxembourg (10) : S????F????

[Neveracrossword]

29 French word -  in the clue!

[Lie-in King]

25a "...th E TAT ler"
20a Atrazine - 'z' (unknown, in) 'a(mateur) traine(d; not fully)'
36a Italian - 'I t(ense)' + 'a nail' (back)

[Neveracrossword]

5 D. A four letter 'authorise' (a cheque, say) followed by  verb meaning 'going by plane, but losing the L for Luxembourg.

[Lie-in King]

Sorry, is it clues preferred?

[Neveracrossword]

39 Elf Shoots

5 D. I missed out the 'one' when i hinted - Signifying.

[Neveracrossword]

No, Lie-in King, Matakari sometimes asks for 'hints', but 'help' usually indicates answers! I know he likes Fieldfare's puzzles, so I was hoping that hints might be enough...

[Lie-in King]

I will try to remember!  I don't often look at Spectator threads as there are plenty of people that actually do it that can answer more quickly than I can.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Lie-in King - and keep helping!

[Matakari]

Many thanks, Lie-in King and NACW, for the answers and parsing! Hints for the following should suffice to help me work out the  “old comrades”.

 

37a    Pass online error? (6)  : E????I

40a    Rabbit killer succeeded? Precisely (5) : ????N

18d    Swallowing tablet, neglect entertaining speaker (7) : ?I?E???

31d    Paul’s companion is upset over footloose girl ( 5 ) : ??L?S

[JJ109]

40a Your N is wrong

Stoat (rabbit killer)= S(ucceeded) + to a T"

[JJ109]

31d Silas

[Lie-in King]

Sorry if I appeared rude earlier by not continuing, I had to dash for an appointment & my taxi was early.

[JJ109]

37 E lapse

[JJ109]

18d Diseuse

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Matakari - I'd expected Diseuse and Etat to be write-ins for you!

 

[Matakari]

Grateful for the last few, JJ109! I thoroughly enjoyed discovering the old comrades. One clue, though, is threatening to upset the final solve. I probably went astray somewhere.

34a Miles for couple to cross high range ( 5 ): PA?IR

PS: I should have seen état, NACW, but was looking too far!

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Matakari. As a very experienced solver, you should have absolutely no trouble getting that last clue"All you need is a common word for a couple (which you have)and a very common abbreviation for M. The answer should leap out at you and it will take a second to confirm online. 

[Matakari]

Thanks, NACW! Yes, it leapt at me and easily verifiable in Wikipedia!

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Matakari - you astounded me by being so willing to give up... with only one letter to get! Had you had enough by that stage?