Former partner ate mostly quinoa for special date (7) Minute Cryptic Crossword Clue
Searching for the answer to “Former partner ate mostly quinoa for special date (7)” in today’s Minute Cryptic Crossword? Look no further! We’ve provided the solution to help you finish the puzzle and make the most of your crossword-solving experience.
Hints
This clue's indicators are 'ate' and 'mostly'. One is a containing indicator instructing us to place some fodder around other fodder, and the other is a selection indicator telling us to select only certain letters from some neighbouring fodder.
This clue's fodder is 'Former partner' and 'quinoa'. We'll use the letters of one along with a short substitute for the other to construct our answer, as guided by the indicator(s)
Our definition here is 'special date', and our answer will be a special date.
The answer to Former partner ate mostly quinoa for special date (7) is EQUINOX.
The clue works by combining a definition with hidden wordplay typical of cryptic crosswords. The definition is “special date,” which refers to the equinox, the moment in the year when day and night are of equal length.
The wordplay comes from splitting the rest of the clue into components: “former partner” gives the abbreviation EX, and “quinoa mostly” means taking the word quinoa but removing its final letter to leave QUINO.
The word “ate” acts as an instruction meaning that one part goes around the other, so EX surrounds QUINO to form EQUINOX.
Minute Cryptic
A Minute Cryptic is a type of crossword puzzle that focuses on very short, often tricky clues that require quick and sharp thinking. These puzzles typically feature concise clues that challenge solvers to think outside the box and consider alternative meanings, wordplay, or indirect references.
Unlike traditional cryptic clues, which may have more detailed explanations, Minute Cryptics are designed to be solved in a very short amount of time, often making them ideal for quick bursts of mental exercise. They tend to require both a good understanding of wordplay and a high level of familiarity with common crossword conventions, but their brevity makes them a fun and engaging challenge for puzzle enthusiasts.
