12/3 across
Finish,
as
elements
of
Marie
Curie’s
typical
description
are
transposed?
(6,6)
Finish, as elements of Marie Curie’s typical description are transposed? (6,6)
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The definition is at the beginning of the clue.
How the clue works
The definition is Finish, giving FRENCH POLISH (a type of wood finish/varnish). The cryptic wordplay relies on knowing that Marie Curie is typically described as "Polish-French" — she was Polish by birth and French by naturalisation. If you transpose (swap) those two elements, you get FRENCH POLISH, which neatly doubles as the surface-finishing technique. A brilliantly deceptive clue!