mephisto 2533

[dj_tanktop]

hello mephisto champs. i'd really appreciate any help (and explanations) with last three.
26dn success when identifying poison (4) _ _ A S
28ac minor ecstasy involved, following impressive invocations (9) E _ _ C L _ S _ _
27ac appearing bearish, before interrupting arab chief (7)
_ R _ _ O I D.
many thanks.

[baitress]

26d - up as

[dj_tanktop]

thanks. that makes 28ac epiclesis.

[Harry-Wragg]

plural - epiclesEs

[dj_tanktop]

ooh. well spotted harry-wragg. thanks.

[shottsjimmy]

The only word I can come up with is 'ARCLOID' for the bearish clue, but can't relate it to the clue.

[eac2337]

27a arctoid

[crockshard]

Arcloid does actually mean 'like a bear'...

[Rollo]

A word meaning "bear-like" is ARCTOID.

[crockshard]

See my (stupid) final problem with this Mephisto posted on 15 March...

[dj_tanktop]

hmm. i only have arctoid in my dictionary ('bear-like') so that must be it but i can't see how the clue fits.

[crockshard]

Sorry, arcToid....

[dj_tanktop]

hi crockshard. yes i spent some time wondering which peter pan character it might be (until i remembered he was barrie). another challenging mephisto but the help on this site is brilliant. thanks to everyone who wrote in.

[Rollo]

Arab = AR

Chief = CID

Before = TO

(All according to Chambers Dictionary).

So AR + C + TO +ID

[dj_tanktop]

good heavens. thanks rollo.

[crockshard]

Thanks, Rollo. I couln't get the 'TO'... Started work on arab as ''MO...OR', which got me nowhere...