Spectator Christmas Crossword

[Helveticus]

So near, and yet so far...

I am baffled by the two elements into which the 8th word can be split and which are akin to those of 80, 110, 84 and 102.

I also have problems with 55: it has no clue, nor does it seem to be related to any of the unclued lights.

Any help would be gratefully received.

[ulysses100]

It would have been helpful to give what letters you have, as I've already sent off my completed grid.
The eighth word though is of four letters, which can be split up into two complonents. The second is the same in all cases, and the first is of similar types. I hope that this helps.
I do not have a frame of reference for 55 but it must relate to either of the last two words in the line of the carol.

[Helveticus]

Thanks ulysses100!

I have just realised that 55 belongs to the group of five which enjoy links with the thirteenth, whereas 105d is unclued (but self-defining).

Only answer left now is 110a: M-R-EN.

[greyfox]

Murre (guillemot or razorbill) n

Swap you that for 33/77. Thanks.

[ulysses100]

It has been noticed before that 105d is unclued and therefore maybe "spare" (?)

[Helveticus]

Hi greyfox

Many thanks for your help, which confirms what a tedious trawl through Chambers had meanwhile revealed.

For 33/77, you need the scientific name for one sense of the third word.

Best wishes
Helveticus

[AHearer]

Hi ulysses100. I see from the correction published in the latest Spectator that the unclued 105 was not 'spare' but a member of one of the sets. For those of us who cunningly settled on 'spare' this will have cost us dear, not contributed to a sonny disposition, cut the heart out of our cheer, and so on....