Intellectual - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer is EDWIN because "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" is an unfinished novel by Charles Dickens. The title character, Edwin Drood, is central to the plot. The clue directly references the character's name, making EDWIN the correct solution.

The clue "___ boat" refers to a common phrase "gravy boat," which is a dish used to serve gravy during meals. The pun-like simplicity of the clue leads to GRAVY as the fitting answer.

The clue "Bottled spirit" uses wordplay. A GENIE is a mythical spirit traditionally depicted as being trapped in a bottle (or lamp). When released, it grants wishes. The term "spirit" cleverly refers to both a supernatural being and the "bottled" container it inhabits.

The answer is HATE because "hate mail" refers to abusive or hostile messages and "hate watch" describes watching something disliked but entertaining in some way. Both phrases are common expressions where "hate" precedes "mail" or "watch."

EMTs, or Emergency Medical Technicians, are first responders trained to handle medical emergencies, including opioid overdoses. Naloxone is a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, and EMTs are equipped and trained to administer it effectively in critical situations. The clue specifies "for short," indicating the abbreviation "EMTS."

The answer is AYO because Ayo Edebiri is a well-known actress and comedian recognized for her work in TV shows like The Bear and her stand-up comedy. The clue directly references her as a public figure, and "Ayo" is her first name.

The clue "Connections puzzle?" includes a pun, indicated by the question mark. A "Dot-to-dot" puzzle involves connecting numbered dots to reveal a picture, aligning with the idea of making "connections." The playful phrasing ties the literal puzzle type to the word "connections."

The National Audubon Society, dedicated to bird conservation, uses a Great Egret as its logo. Egrets are elegant, long-legged birds often associated with wetland habitats, making them a fitting symbol for the organization’s mission to protect birds and their environments. Hence, the clue's answer is EGRET.

Dermaplaning is a skincare treatment often offered at a DAY SPA. The clue "Destination for dermaplaning" refers to a location where such services are typically provided, making DAYSPA the correct answer. It’s a straightforward, literal clue with no wordplay involved.

The answer "AID" fits the clue "Relief" because "AID" means help or assistance, which directly relates to providing relief in times of need or difficulty. The clue is straightforward and does not involve wordplay, making "AID" a fitting synonym for "Relief."

The clue "Eat (at)" uses wordplay. "Gnaw" means to chew persistently, often on something tough, resembling "eating at" something physically. Additionally, "eat at" can metaphorically mean to bother or irritate, and "gnaw" also describes a lingering annoyance (e.g., "it gnaws at you"), fitting both interpretations.

The clue "Night owl, typically" refers to someone who stays up late. A "lateriser" is wordplay combining "late" (staying up late at night) and "riser" (waking up later as a result). This fits the description of a "night owl." The pun makes the answer clever and apt!

The clue "Short product overview, in business lingo" directly points to the succinct summary often used in professional settings called a "ONE PAGER." In business, a "one-pager" is a single-page document summarizing key aspects of a product, service, or proposal, aligning perfectly with the clue's definition.

The West End is London's famous theater district, renowned for long-running productions. "The Mousetrap," a play by Agatha Christie, has been performed there since 1952, making it the world's longest-running play. The clue directly refers to this iconic area's association with theater.

The clue "Hard pass?" uses a pun. A "Hail Mary" is a desperate, long-distance pass in football, typically made in a challenging situation, making it a "hard pass." The question mark emphasizes the play on words, linking the sports term with the idea of difficulty.

The clue "Where an athlete has an advantage" refers to the concept of a "home advantage," where athletes perform better on their home ground, familiar with the surroundings and crowd support. "Hometurf" is a fitting term describing their own area's ground, making it the correct answer.

The clue "They're grated outdoors" hints at something with grates found outside. DRAINS often have grated covers to allow water to flow through while preventing debris. These are commonly seen on streets or sidewalks, fitting the description perfectly. The wordplay lies in "grated" referring to the grates.

The answer is MOCHI because it is a traditional Japanese rice cake often enjoyed during New Year celebrations. Made by pounding glutinous rice, mochi is a symbol of prosperity and good fortune in Japanese culture, particularly associated with the traditions of the New Year.

The term "Artery" here is a play on words, referring not to a blood artery but a highway, often called a traffic artery. An "access point" to a highway is an ONRAMP, where vehicles enter. The pun in the clue connects the answer to roadways instead of anatomy.

The clue "Tear" plays on its meaning as a wild or unchecked activity, akin to a rampage or binge. A "SPREE" aligns with this interpretation, referring to an energetic, often excessive bout of activity – such as shopping, partying, or another indulgence. It's a figurative match to "Tear."

The clue uses wordplay. "Washington" here doesn't refer to the historical figure but Denzel Washington, a celebrated actor. A statue honoring him might say "Best Actor," referencing his multiple award wins, including two Academy Awards. The pun connects Washington (the actor) and his accolades.

The answer "TAM" refers to a "Tam o' Shanter," a traditional Scottish cap often made of wool with a soft, rounded crown and a pompom on top. Its soft, flat, and rounded design aligns perfectly with the clue "Soft-topped cap."

The answer is SUPERIOR because "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," a famous song by Gordon Lightfoot, narrates the sinking of the ship on Lake Superior. It’s one of North America's Great Lakes, fitting the "Lake ___" clue perfectly.

The answer "DEEPFAKE" fits because it refers to a highly convincing, A.I.-generated video where someone's face or voice is manipulated to appear real. This aligns perfectly with the clue, highlighting the advanced, realistic nature of such A.I.-created media.

The "pluralis majestatis," or "royal we," is a pronoun historically used by monarchs or high-ranking figures to refer to themselves in plural (e.g., "We are not amused"). ROYALWE perfectly fits as the term directly describes this formal, majestic pronoun usage.

The clue "Shakes, but not sundaes" uses wordplay, implying the answer isn't literal. "Shakes" refers to tremors caused by seismic activity, like earthquakes (SEISMS). It's not related to milkshakes (as in sundaes). Thus, SEISMS fits as it refers to earth "shakes," not dessert treats.

The answer is PETAL because it refers to the game "He loves me, he loves me not," where a flower's petals are picked one by one to determine feelings or fortune. This aligns with the fortunetelling theme in the clue.

AMIGA is the solution because it was an early home computer brand developed by Commodore and released in 1985. Known for its advanced graphics and sound capabilities, it was highly popular for gaming and multimedia during the late '80s and early '90s, fitting the "early" computer brand clue.

NEVIS is the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, a key figure in American history whose life inspired the musical Hamilton. The clue refers to his origins being a "forgotten spot in the Caribbean," as mentioned in the lyrics of the musical's opening number.

The clue "Junk" directly aligns with the informal meaning of "dreck," which refers to trash, rubbish, or something of poor quality. Both terms are synonymous in describing something worthless or undesirable, making DRECK the perfect answer.

The answer "SOLO" fits because Joshua Slocum famously sailed completely alone around the world. The clue references this historic solo voyage starting in 1895, emphasizing his status as the first person to achieve this feat without any crew, perfectly aligning with the definition of "solo."

The answer "TEMP" fits because ski resorts often hire temporary workers (abbreviated as "TEMP") during the busy winter season. These roles are usually seasonal, aligning with the limited duration of peak skiing periods, making TEMP an apt shorthand for such workers.

In John Steinbeck's novel East of Eden, ADAM Trask is a central character. The story follows his life, struggles, and family dynamics, making ADAM a key role in the narrative. The clue references his prominent character from this classic work.

The clue "Bills' org." refers to the Buffalo Bills, a professional football team. Their organization is part of the NFL (National Football League), which is the governing body for professional football teams in the United States. The team name "Bills" cleverly hints at the NFL connection.

The clue "Golly!" is enclosed in quotes, signaling it is an expression or exclamation. "GEE" is a colloquial expression of surprise or amazement, synonymous with "Golly!" Both phrases are often used interchangeably in casual speech, making GEE the correct answer.