Here are the answers to Irish Times (Simplex) Crossword puzzles Wednesday August 16 2017.

A change in the structure of a gene – MUTATION
At this, one is relaxed – EASE

Cat-like animals, their musk is used in perfumes – CIVETS
Character, disposition – NATURE
Deriving pleasure from inflicting pain – SADISTIC
Expression of great praise or approval – ACCOLADE
Eye specialist – OPTICIAN
Feeing great desire – YEARNING
Feeling of ill will – ANIMUS
Framework, outline – SKELETON
Free, gratis and for nothing – BUCKSHEE
Funnel-shaped windstorm – TORNADO
Government tax on imports – TARIFF
Heads off, prevents from happening – AVERTS
Incidentally – BYTHEWAY
Lever to turn the rudder – TILLER
Moved rapidly and lightly – DARTED

Not shut or secret – OPEN
Orchestral introduction to an opera – OVERTURE
Pieces of broken glass – SHARDS
Robin Hood’s forest – SHERWOOD
Small cave, perhaps with religious connotations – GROTTO
The quantity needed, sufficient – ENOUGH
They believe no deities exist – ATHEISTS
Tiny insects that live in colonies – ANTS
Travels upwards – ASCENDS
Using more words than needed – VERBOSE
Very wealthy or powerful business people – TYCOONS
White scales shed by the scalp – DANDRUFF
With a sharply uneven edge – JAGGED
Yeats or Heaney, say – POET
Younger or lower in rank – JUNIOR