The Guardian Cryptic Answers - Friday, 23rd May 2003 There are 14 across clues and 14 down clues for the The Guardian Cryptic crossword on Friday, 23rd May 2003. View the answers below.. Also try..All The Guardian Cryptic AnswersAll PublicationsThe AnswersNumber# Clue Answer AAcross 1: Make safe application, getting overfed firstDEFUSEAAcross 4: Differentiate flowSTREAMAAcross 9: Crucial juncture to clue "on purpose"?POINT OF NO RETURNAAcross 10: Nurses start to show sign of affectionCARESSAAcross 11: Reminder that middle of alphabet gets unsteady incomeMNEMONICAAcross 12: Language of island issuin' challengeMANDARINAAcross 14: Throw's thrown, mould's moulded and 9's passedTHEDIEAAcross 15: See 14ISCASTAAcross 18: Artist takes a line about currencyMONETARYAAcross 21: Flourish on husks and mealBRANDISHAAcross 22: Drink putrid stuff in commotionRUMPUSAAcross 24: "Perchance to dream" amid religious images - pass 9CROSSTHERUBICONAAcross 25: Lecher said to glowLUSTREAAcross 26: Papers not beginning to cover city breakRECESSDDown 1: Light entertainment for 10 in playDIORAMADDown 2: Hurdle in FenchurchFENCEDDown 3: Patron to trail round the polesSPONSORDDown 5: Charge for accommodation under hill 4TORRENTDDown 6: Edited text about traveller without inhibitionsEXTROVERTDDown 7: Drink suggests cunning ways to get into skirtMARTINIDDown 8: Marker of time, wearing no monocle, it not all thereGNOMONDDown 13: "Number needing help to get up" is the doctor's reportDIAGNOSISDDown 16: Solar system receiving gold for the sistersSORORALDDown 17: Giggle about women, as birds doTWITTERDDown 18: Many have mistaken Lehar for a composerMAHLERDDown 19: Bringing up to run true to formNURTUREDDown 20: Shrill and unrefined, they say, taking care of the GuardianRAUCOUSDDown 23: The state of the compiler - covered in hair!MAINE