Blimey, CdM, there are enough components there to make eight words ! EG ST L IC ER/HM {we hear = sounds like} A/B/C/D/E/F/G(plural) DIX PP ST/RD N/S/E/W(plural) AT EL AB(S)/TAR .... and that's only got us up to the Spanish sailor !
[rab] Very good! Although it is actually a strict Ximinean clue. Details: The last four words are the cryptic part (RE D HER RINGS); the rest of the clue up to "...account" is the definition.
I probably would have noticed that if I wasn't (supposed to be) working at the same time! In the meantime, this has reminded me of one that I've wanted to clue for a while: This clue might be: "500. Precedes solid containing volume of mute's heart"
Here's a clue I saw in an Acorn User crossword in the early 90s, which I've always remembered. It's a long way short of perfect, but still, I liked it... Yalp? (8)
Like this? (4-11) [rab] well, yes, I was aware that was a flaw; I was hoping to get away with a loose sense of ultimate = end. And I want yours to be DEFINITION, but I can't figure out why.
My clue is wrong. Sorry, it should read: This clue might be: "500. Follows solid containing volume of mute's heart" (10) which might give a clue in its own right.
CdM's is either self-explanatory or self-descriptive; rab's is maybe convoluted: vol & ut in cone; 500 = D. PS. Do we really need hidden text in this game?