The Hindu Crossword No. 9311 Monday, August 25, 2008

Across

 1 Therapy that is impossible in a blackout? (5,9) SHOCK TREATMENT

 8 Little creature with a modish wing (6) INSECT

 9 See a sign unfurled by one to whom property has been transferred (8) ASSIGNEE

11 In the Middle East, it had penalties modified (9) PALESTINE

12 A portion of a small mammal (5) SHARE

13 What a footballer hates to see — a socialist joker? (3,4) RED CARD

15 Prominent stranger, in a way (7) SALIENT

17 Stump that is misused as an encouragement (7) IMPETUS

19 He gives company to the flier (2-5) CO-PILOT

21 U.S. prosecutor omitted from CV of living organisms (5) BIOTA

23 Degradation of a low-level accommodation (9) ABASEMENT

25 Power cut that expels a chess player perhaps (8) BLACKOUT

26 Love commercial dirt! (6) ADMIRE

27 Bone disease that Irish tattooers develop (14) OSTEOARTHRITIS

Down

 1 Team leader but a small fish (7) SKIPPER

 2 Bird, one in a group of grouse, lark etc. (5) OUSEL

 3 Get (the bike) going (4-5) KICK-START

 4 Bachelor of surgery involved in various cases of pus collection (7) ABSCESS

 5 Power flows through them in restructured, new Siam (5) MAINS

 6 Peerless example that is plainer on reform (9) NONPAREIL

 7 Umpire, entering wager, is miserable (6) BEREFT

10 A gentle sort (4) KIND

14 Maid’s plot upset by foreign service officials (9) DIPLOMATS

16 He uses his eyes to comprehend what others say (3-6) LIP-READER

17 Consume drink with one doctor and one engineer (6) IMBIBE

18 Paula’s caught cracking a shoulder bone (7) SPATULA

19 Persuade with some colas, say (4) COAX

20 In them your clothes are torn (7) TATTERS

22 An important joint for some Bohemian kleptomaniacs (5) ANKLE

24 A proclamation like what Asoka left on stone (5) EDICT