For Beginners

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Explanation only + Answers + Grid entries
Solution grid
The finished diagram contains NO VICES. Accordingly, SLOTH, LUST, GLUTTONY, COVETOUSNESS, PRIDE, ENVY, and ANGER are banished.

Across

  • 1.
    Y-E-AGER
  • 5.
    TAR(PAULI)N
  • 11.
    T(R)ENT
  • 12.
    S(AIL-BOA)T
  • 13.
    V(IC)ARIOUSLY
  • 14.
    PRO(VI)-SOS
  • 15.
    ROW-AN
  • 18.
    END-OWING
  • 19.
    S-HIVE-RED
  • 20.
    NATAL (double def.)
  • 24.
    OBESE (hidden)
  • 26.
    LEAFIEST (anag.)
  • 29.
    LEA(THE)R'S
  • 31.
    G(L-O)AT
  • 33.
    SE(L-F)SAME
  • 35.
    NORTHE-ASTER (hornet anag.)
  • 36.
    UN(BELIE)F (fun anag.)
  • 37.
    TREEN (anag.)
  • 38.
    O-TOS(COP)ES
  • 39.
    N(I-NET)Y

Down

  • 1.
    R(EBIRT)H (rev.)
  • 2.
    N(ARC)O-TIC (car anag.)
  • 3.
    HENRI (anag.)
  • 4.
    ARTIST (hidden)
  • 5.
    V-A-MOOSE
  • 6.
    EP(I-SOD)IC
  • 7.
    GA(L)LE-ON
  • 8.
    SLO(WWI)TTED
  • 9.
    T(I)ARA
  • 10.
    ENT-ANGLE (ten anag.)
  • 16.
    DEVA-STATES
  • 17.
    I-RENE
  • 18.
    UNDIES (pun)
  • 20.
    O-AS-IS
  • 21.
    LIBELANT (anag.)
  • 22.
    O(VERST)-EP
  • 23.
    EASEMENT (tease men with t shifted)
  • 25.
    CHE(E)RIO (anag. + e)
  • 27.
    TAB-LETS
  • 28.
    UTTERL-Y (anag. + y)
  • 30.
    S(A-FAR)I
  • 32.
    YO-BB-O
  • 34.
    ESSE-N