I. D. (INITIAL DEFINITIONS)
Credit: GAMES/World of Puzzles
February, 2016

GAMES/World of Puzzles sponsored a contest in which you had to choose four different letters of the alphabet, think of a single word or name starting with one of those letters, and then make a three-word crossword - style definition for that choice, using words or names that started with the other three letters - in any order. This process had to be repeated three times - so that all four letters were used in the clues and in the defining word.

Here's an example: Suppose you chose the letters H, L, M, and R.

Robin Hood's Lady = Marion
Like Many Houses = Rented
Most Rundown Lodging = Hovel
Human Mirth Reaction = Laughter

The winning entry, by Stephanie Malley of Trafford, PA, used the letters F, M, E, and R. Can you reconstruct her clues from the letter sequences and defining words below? Some excerpts from runners-up are listed below the answers to the winning entry.

FME = REVERE
MRE = FIB
RFM = EXCLUSIVE
ERF = MARATHON

Answers:

FAMOUS MIDNIGHT EQUESTRIAN = REVERE
MINOR REALITY EMBELLISHMENT =FIB
RESERVED FOR MEMBERS = EXCLUSIVE
ENDURANCE RUNNER'S FEAT= MARATHON

Below are some excerpts from runners-up:

1)
S, A, E, and G:
SAE = G'DAY

2)
M, F, Q, and B:
MFQ = BANKRUPTCY
MBF = QUINTUPLED

3)
A, B, C, and E:
AEB = CLEOPATRA
CBE = AAUGH

4)
I, S, T, and P:
IST = PISA

Answers:

1. STEREOTYPICAL AUSTRALIAN EXPRESSION = G'DAY 

2. MAJOR FINANCIAL QUAGMIRE = BANKRUPTCY
    MULTIPLIED BY FIVE = QUINTUPLED

3. ANTONY'S EGYPTIAN BRIDE = CLEOPATRA
    CHARLIE BROWN'S EXCLAMATION = AAUGH

4. ICONIC SLANTED TOWER = PISA