Perplexity

Losswords: Our on-line, state-of-the-art dictionary has been malfunctioning again, omitting the letters of each defined word, in the correct order, from the definition. It does, however, have the decency to note, in brackets, the length of the missing word. So, for example, "puzzle", defined as "purely quizzical game" appears only as: "relyquiicagam (6)". But what are these three?

ustceaneast (4)

perickr (5)

nckscosumethlun (10)

A prize of the Chambers 21st Dictionary will be awarded to the sender of the first correct answer we open on 31 July. Answers to: Perplexity, The Independent,

1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DL.

9 August answers:

John Galsworthy, The Forsyte Saga. Winner: AD Gaines (Colyton, Devon)

16 August answers:

Martin Clunes, Neil Morrissey, Men Behaving Badly. Winner: T Schmoller (Sheffield)