Ft Crossword 14926

[mikem004]

2d) Inhaling dope, libertine cuddled and kissed (9)
C----O-L-D
Must be "canoodled", but why?

9a) Golden infant originally seen in sweetly fragrant youth (8)
M-(N)-R-T-

13a) Gripping item initially, precariously balanced device for securing locks (5,4)
A-I-E/----

[elliemay1]

minority

[Mamyalynne]

Noodle (dope) in Cad (Libertine)

[Baldric]

13a ALICE BAND

[Mamyalynne]

13 Alice band

[Lie-in King]

Yes, 'Canoodled' - 'noodle' (dope; simpleton, in) 'cad'

9a Minority (youth) - 'or' (golden, heraldry) + 'i(nfant)' (in) 'minty' (sweetly fragrant)

13a Alice band (locks as hair) - 'i(tem)' (initially, in) anag 'balanced'

[Captain2]

13 alice band

[Mamyalynne]

Balanced + i (Item Initially) - anag

[mikem004]

I don't understand the "minority" answer.
Is this a golden infant, say, or a youth?

[Mamyalynne]

LIK has parsed it.

[Lie-in King]

Minority - state or time of being under age; youth

[mikem004]

Might as well finish them off:

5a) Like a spring leaf only opening east of Paris, perhaps? (6)
-P----

7d) "Polish" describing mazurka, primarily, a dance (5)
----A

10a) Summon a drink, poking dessert on the counter (4,2)
-R--/--

8d) One working on gemstones, rapidly, a drunk (8)
----D-R-

[Mamyalynne]

5 Spiral
7 Rumba
10 Drum up
8Lapidary

[Lie-in King]

5a Spiral (like a spring) - 'l(eaf)' (opening, east of; to the right) anag 'Paris'
7d Rumba - 'rub' (polish, around) 'm(azurka)' + 'a'
10a Drum up - 'rum' (drink, poking; inside) 'pud' (on the counter; turned)
8d Lapidary - anag 'rapidly a'

[Dominique_J]

Does anyone else find Mudd's clues always humourless & sometimes crossing the line between clever & being smart-Alec?