Acrostic indicator
first
“first” is an acrostic indicator in cryptic crosswords.
Also called letter-selection: you read the initial or final letters of consecutive words to spell part of the answer. Indicators point to beginnings, ends, or leaders.
- Clue types
- Acrostic
- Subtlety
- moderate
- Part of speech
- adjective
“Following first bits of a far too easy run (5)”
Answer: AFTER
Definition: "Following" — coming after, in sequence. "first bits of" tells you to take the initial letters. Take the first letter of each word in "a far too easy run": A, F, T, E, R. Reading those initials in order gives AFTER.
Related indicators
- at first
- at last
- at the end
- at the end of
- at the outset
- at the start of
- backs of
- begin
- beginnings of
- borders of
- bottom of
- bottoms of
- capitals
- characters
- conclude
- conclusions of
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