FOUR CAST OUT
GAMES/World of Puzzles
February, 2020
Scott Erdman

The exact same four-letter word (in its entirety) has been extracted from the answer to each clue below. The spaces beside each clue indicate the length of the answer, and the remaining letters follow in alphabetical order. Once you figure out the key word, it will become much easier.

1. Glacial debris _ _ _ _ _ _ _  EMO
2. Meshy utensil _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  ERST
3.Workplace newbie _ _ _ _ _ _ _  EET
4. Deep-rooted _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  DEGIN
5. Seat belt, e.g. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  ERSTT
6. Gutter adjunct _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  DEIPP
7. Splitting headache _ _ _ _ _ _ _  EGIM
8. Knucklehead _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  ABELM
9. Bright idea  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ BMORST
10. Common quality of old photos
                          _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _   EGINSS

Answers:

The extracted word is RAIN:

1. MORAINE
2. STRAINER
3. TRAINEE
4. INGRAINED
5. RESTRAINT
6. DRAINPIPE
7. MIGRAINE
8. LAMEBRAIN
9. BRAINSTORM
10. GRAININESS