Perplexity

Losswords! More entries from our self-deleting dictionary, where each definition has had the letters of the word defined erased from it. To make matters worse, the gaps between words have been closed. But at least the letters of the missing words did appear in the right order. The words are thematically linked and the length of each is given in brackets:

heygoonlwaylie (6)

aoponranjurey (7)

showhsardtomaarip (6)

A copy of Chambers Encyclopaedic Dictionary awaits the first correct answer opened on 5 October. Entries to: Saturday Pastimes, Independent, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DL.

9 September answers: dandelion (don nailed); chrysanthemum (stammery hunch); hydrangea (angry head).

Winner: Revd GD Geddes.