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I recently saw a puzzle that I really enjoyed, and wanted to try my hand at something with a similar idea. Feedback is appreciated!

S _ _ _ _: long, flat places for science (5)

S _ _ _ _: quavered with a hand replacement (3)

S _ _ _ _ _: beneath a split (2)

S _ _ _ _: heated hive members (4)

S _ _ _ _ _: frequently ease up (2)

S _ _ _ _ _: slashes cleaning cloths (4)

S _ _ _ _: concern that terrifies (5)

S _ _ _ _ _ _ _: waiting for a transaction (4)

S _ _ _ _ _: exchanged cackler (3)

S _ _ _: final delivery (3)

S _ _ _ _ _ _ _: yammer that follows unnoticed (8)

Answer: _ _ _ _ _

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  • $\begingroup$ Are the numbers enumeration? If so, the dashes and the numbers don't always match.. $\endgroup$
    – Sid
    Jul 22, 2017 at 19:48
  • $\begingroup$ Yes, but not in the specific way you're thinking. $\endgroup$
    – Red Octopus
    Jul 22, 2017 at 19:54
  • $\begingroup$ This is a great first puzzle! Welcome to puzzling $\endgroup$
    – Beastly Gerbil
    Jul 23, 2017 at 9:59
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Very enjoyable! $\endgroup$
    – Hugh Meyers
    Jul 23, 2017 at 21:13

1 Answer 1

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The final answer is

START

Each of the clues

contains clues for two words, one starting with S and one without it.

long, flat places for science (5)

SLABS

quavered with a hand replacement (3)

SHOOK

beneath a split (2)

SUNDER

heated hive members (4)

SWARM

frequently ease up (2)

SOFTEN

slashes cleaning cloths (4)

SWIPES (thanks to Dr Xorile)

concern that terrifies (5)

SCARE

waiting for a transaction (4)

SPENDING

exchanged cackler (3)

SWITCH

final delivery (3)

SEND

yammer that follows unnoticed (8)

STALKING

I think the numbers are

indices into the answers

which gives us

SOUR OPENING

Solving in the same way, we get

START

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  • $\begingroup$ Great job! You're in the final stretch. :) $\endgroup$
    – Red Octopus
    Jul 22, 2017 at 21:46
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ Swipes is presumably the one you're missing $\endgroup$
    – Dr Xorile
    Jul 22, 2017 at 23:08
  • $\begingroup$ Which makes sour opening? $\endgroup$
    – Dr Xorile
    Jul 22, 2017 at 23:08
  • $\begingroup$ Very clever puzzle, and very well done solving it $\endgroup$
    – Dr Xorile
    Jul 22, 2017 at 23:18
  • $\begingroup$ I don't get a single thing from both the answer and the question. If each clue gives us two words (as in the second spoiler) why are there only one word per clue (as in SLABS, SHOOK, etc.)? Furthermore, what's the connection between 'sour opening' and 'start'? Apologies for my misunderstanding. $\endgroup$
    – William Nathanael
    Jul 23, 2017 at 12:53

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