SENSELESSNESS

GRANNYSQUARESPieces of crocheted fabric that make four-sided shapes ... or a hint to the theme words at 16a, 44a, 7d, and 41d: 2 wds. PRIMARYCOLORSThey can be mixed to make orange, green and purple ROLLINTOABALLArrive à la Cinderella? SEASONTOTASTESpring roll or summer sausage? APOSTLESPOONSPieces of silver handled by disciples? INCONSEQUENCEAs a result MADHURJAFFREYIndian actress, food and travel writer and TV personality named a CBE in 2004 MOTHEROFPEARLGround opal, the former material for shiny ornamentation NEILARMSTRONGThe first man on the moon HUGHMCDIARMIDScottish poet whose works include A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle PUTINTHESHADETo eclipse SUNKINDESPAIRUtterly depressed PRIMEMINISTEROne’s said to be first among equals (5,8) PRECIPITATIONRain or snow, say (13)