RINGLING BROTHERS

By Dave Savitt

Each clue has an 8-letter answer from which, uniquely, one of U/D/L/R
may be deleted. As an extra guide for solving the clues, the answers
come in alphabetical order. They are:

ADRIANNE = ARIANNE + D
APPEASED = APPEASE + D
AUCTIONS = ACTIONS + U
BURDETTE = BURETTE + D
CAUTIONS = CATIONS + U
CHAUSSES = CHASSES + U
CHEERLED = CHEERED + L
CHIASMUS = CHIASMS + U
COMPLETE = COMPETE + L
CRAPPERS = CAPPERS + R
CROUTONS = CROTONS + U
DREAMERS = REAMERS + D
DRESSERS = DRESSES + R
DURESSES = DRESSES + U
ENDORSED = ENDORSE + D
FRICTION = FICTION + R
GOBBLING = GOBBING + L
HARRIERS = HARRIES + R
INDULGED = INDULGE + D
INGRATES = INGATES + R
INSPIRED = INSPIRE + D
INTENSER = INTENSE + R
LAZURITE = AZURITE + L
LEERIEST = EERIEST + L
MONTAGUE = MONTAGE + U
PAULETTE = PALETTE + U
PEERLESS = PEERESS + L
PLAYOFFS = PAYOFFS + L
POWDERED = POWERED + D
REDSTART = RESTART + D
RESIDUES = RESIDES + U
RESTATES = ESTATES + R
ROADSTER = ROASTER + D
SCOURERS = SCORERS + U
SLUICING = SLICING + U
SPECTRAL = SPECTRA + L
STARTERS = STATERS + R
STRAINER = STAINER + R
SUPINATE = SPINATE + U
TEXTURED = TEXTURE + D
UPRISING = PRISING + U

These 41 seven-letter words fit uniquely into the criss-cross; words formed
by deleting D are entered downwards, words formed by deleting U are entered
upwards, words formed by deleting R are entered left-to-right, and words formed
by deleting L are entered right-to-left. An extra word is formed in the grid:
PASTIES, going left-to-right. This is obtained by deleting R from the answer
word, PASTRIES.

(Note that both words in the title, RINGLING BROTHERS, can also have one of
U/D/L/R deleted from them to form a new word.)