| Rating | Solver | Clue |
|---|---|---|
| ACING | Killing (it) | |
| GIRDLE | To make a cut or gnaw a groove around (a tree, etc.) through the bark and alburnum, thus killing it. | |
| GIRDLER | ...s) which lays its eggs in the twigs of the hickory, and then girdles each branch by gnawing a groove around it, thus killing it to provide suita... | |
| ICHNEUMON | ...its and is often domesticated. It is noted for killing the cobra. ... |