Understanding Cryptic Clues - Clue Type "C" (CC series)

I’ve scripted this topic in the form of a conversation between you, the reader and me, the author. Your part of the conversation is mentioned in blue.

Me: Here is a clue

         Begin again to write curriculum vitae (6)

You: On reading this clue, what should we do?

Me: Think of an answer. There are a few ground rules to be followed for getting the answer.

        Answer is always a word or phrase. (For now, let’s consider it as a single word)

           No. of letters comprising the answer is always mentioned in parenthesis at the end of the     clue. (In this case, it is a 6 letter word) 

        Answer is always the meaning or synonym of a part of the clue.

You: Meaning or synonym of “a part of the clue” How do I identify this part?

Let us name this part of the clue as “Question”. The challenge lies in identifying the Question

Generally, it is either at the beginning or end of the clue. It can be a single word or a string of words. But for now, let us consider it ‘to be learnt with experience’.

You: What is the purpose of the remaining part of the clue?

Me: Remaining part of the clue is used to get the answer. It also helps in pinning down that          specific word in case of more than one possible answer.

        Let me name this part of the clue as “Help”. We need to use “Help” to get the answer.

        Let us recall the clue “Begin again to write curriculum vitae (6)”

        Let us assume that the phrase “Begin again” is the Question. We need to take the help of a portion of remaining part of the clue “to write curriculum vitae” and get the answer. In this example, it is “curriculum vitae”. In this type of clue, answer is a synonym to both “Question” and “Help” parts of the clue. Now, think of a 6 letter word that can mean “Begin again” as well as “curriculum vitae”. By the way, you can ignore “to write”.

You: Some words that can mean “Begin again” are RESTART, CONTINUE, RESUME.

        Words that mean “curriculum vitae” can be BIODATA, RESUME

Me: Which is the common word that can mean “begin again” and “curriculum vitae”?

You: It is “RESUME”. So “RESUME “ is the answer! Hey, we got it!

Me: You are absolutely right. So, in this case, we thought of a word that has more than one meaning.  These types of words are called “Homonyms”. Let us name this type of clue as “Clue Type “C”

You: What if we consider “to write” either as “Question” or “Help”?

Me: Think and get back to me! J

         But, please note that some of the words in a Cryptic Clue are used merely to make the phrase or sentence appear complete and make sense of some sort. It is not necessary that all words in a Cryptic Clue need to be used to get the answer.

RECAP

Summary of General Ground Rules for Cryptic Clues

Answer is always a word or phrase.

No. of letters comprising the answer is always mentioned in parenthesis at the end of the clue.

Answer is always the meaning / synonym of a part of the clue.

Answer is derived by using remaining part of the clue.

It is not necessary that all words in a Cryptic Clue need to be used to get the answer.

Hint for Clue Type “C”: Answer is a homonym (word that has more than one meaning). Two meanings are within the clue itself

Want to try solving a few clues? Click  CC 1 to CC 5

To go back to the previous Clue Type, click on Understanding Cryptic Clues - Clue Type B

Cryptic Clues posted here are a part of "Play with Words" section in this blog.