Short and Sweet

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Explanation only + Answers + Grid entries
Solution grid
Unclued Lights: SNOW WHITE, BASHFUL, DOC, DOPEY, GRUMPY, HAPPY, SLEEPY, SNEEZY

Across

  • 1.
    FRENCH BED
  • 7.
    DOS (double def.)
  • 8.
    LINED (double def.)
  • 11.
    BROWN (double def.)
  • 12.
    AN(CI)ENT
  • 14.
    AGATES ("se[tag]a" rev.)
  • 15.
    WERE (double def.)
  • 16.
    CESS (double def.)
  • 21.
    TAPS ("spat" rev.)
  • 26.
    HO-SPICE
  • 28.
    OARS (hidden)
  • 29.
    SA-UN-AS
  • 30.
    PROCTOR ("pro + ROTC" rev.)
  • 31.
    NONES
  • 32.
    DRY SPELLS

Down

  • 1.
    FL-ABBY ("baby" anag.)
  • 2.
    ENCASE (anag.)
  • 3.
    NEIGHS ("ig" inside "hens", anag.)
  • 4.
    HUNT UP ("hun + put" rev.)
  • 5.
    BETEL ("Beatle" anag. without "a")
  • 6.
    DROWSE (rev. + "e")
  • 9.
    INCA (hidden)
  • 10.
    DEAF (hidden)
  • 11.
    BASAL-T
  • 13.
    TRAPS (double def.)
  • 16.
    CREAM (double def.)
  • 17.
    SPASMS ("pass" anag. + "Ms.")
  • 18.
    G-ROUND
  • 19.
    M-ASKED
  • 20.
    GOURDS ("o" in "drugs" anag.)
  • 22.
    APACHE (homophone)
  • 23.
    PISTIL ("lit-sip" rev.)
  • 24.
    METRES (anag.)
  • 25.
    FRANC (homophone)
  • 27.
    CLOT (hidden)