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  • The solution "AMPM" refers to the toggle on a digital clock that switches between "AM" (morning hours) and "PM" (afternoon/evening hours). This selection helps distinguish 12-hour time periods, making it a necessary feature for clarity on such clocks.

  • The answer is ABBOT because an abbot is the head or leader of a monastery, which is a community of monks often referred to as "brothers." This clue is straightforward, referencing the religious title for someone who leads a brotherhood in a monastic setting.

  • The answer "ATRA" relates to a specific model of Gillette razors introduced in 1977. The Atra was notable for being Gillette's first razor with a pivoting head, enhancing shaving efficiency. It's a classic product often referenced in crosswords due to its short, crossword-friendly name.

  • The clue "Confirm to be true" with its asterisk indicates wordplay. "VERY" is used for emphasis, implying that something is true to a high degree. To "confirm" something emphatically aligns with how "very" strengthens an assertion, making it a clever answer in this context.

  • The clue refers to prime numbers. A prime number is divisible only by 1 and itself. 2027 and 2029 are both prime numbers, while 2025 is not—it's divisible by 5. This makes "PRIME" the correct answer.

  • The clue "Someone who knows how the sausage gets made?" plays on a word pun. "Sausage" refers to Cher's famous hit song "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves," which mentions a traveling carnival life. It ties to the idea of "behind the scenes," as Cher has had an illustrious, showbiz-rich life.

  • ODES is the solution because, in ancient Greece, odes were lyrical poems written to be performed with musical accompaniment. They celebrated events or praised individuals, often accompanied by a lyre or other instruments, aligning perfectly with the clue's description.

  • The clue “Goliath” refers to something of great size or strength, as Goliath was a giant in the biblical story. “Titan” is synonymous with being a giant or something massive and powerful, making it an apt answer for this clue.

  • The clue "Coach's charge" refers to what a coach is responsible for or oversees. A coach's primary responsibility is to guide and manage a TEAM of players. Hence, "TEAM" is the correct solution as it directly fits this definition.

  • The answer "WIPER" fits because windshield wipers are tools designed to clear rainwater from car windshields. The clue refers to a literal function, and "rainwater clearer" aptly describes what wipers do to maintain visibility during rain.

  • ASH is the solution because when making s'mores over a campfire, ash from the fire can unintentionally end up on your marshmallows or graham crackers. The question mark hints at this playful word association, as ash is an "ingredient" you definitely don't want in your treat.

  • The phrase "___ love" is often completed as "puppy love," which refers to youthful or innocent romantic feelings, like those that might occur in teenage years. The term "puppy" metaphorically conveys that early, tender affection, making it the fitting answer to this clue.

  • The answer "ALIEN" fits this clue because Mr. Spock, a character from Star Trek, is a Vulcan—a being from another planet. In crossword terms, "alien" refers to any being not from Earth, fitting Spock's extraterrestrial origin.

  • The answer "AROAR" fits the clue "Clamorous" as it describes a state of loud noise or commotion. The prefix "A-" emphasizes the intense, ongoing nature of the roaring sound, aligning perfectly with the definition of being noisy or clamorous. It’s an evocative, descriptive term.

  • The phrase "Cunning sort" hints at someone clever or crafty, often associated with slyness. A fox is a common metaphor for cunning or wily behavior, making "SLYFOX" a fitting answer. The playful use of "sort" ties the clue to a type of individual (a fox) known for its sly nature.

  • The clue "Finally!" in quotes indicates a spoken expression. "At last" is a common phrase people say to express relief or fulfillment after a long wait or effort, perfectly matching the meaning of "Finally!" and fitting the conversational tone of the clue.

  • The clue "Li'l belly" uses "Li'l" to indicate a diminutive form or childlike term. "Tummy" is a common childish word for belly, and its shortened form, "TUM," matches the playful tone of the clue, making it the perfect fit.

  • The clue "Formal expressions of praise" with the asterisk signals wordplay. Here, "formal expressions" refers to attempts or efforts at something, and "praise" cleverly aligns with giving something a "try." Therefore, TRIES works as the playful, figurative answer connecting both meanings.

  • In Spanish, the suffix -ito is commonly added to nouns or adjectives to indicate smallness or affection, functioning as a diminutive. For example, perro (dog) becomes perrito (little dog). The clue specifies "in Spanish," directly pointing to the linguistic context for ITO.

  • The answer "ICED" fits because it describes two meanings: coffee can be served "iced" (cold), and in mob slang, "iced" means being killed or eliminated (a target being "iced"). The clue cleverly connects these unrelated uses of the word through wordplay.

  • SATCH is short for "Satchmo," one of Louis Armstrong's famous nicknames. "Satchmo" is derived from "Satchel Mouth," referring to his wide smile and style of trumpet playing. This nickname became synonymous with the legendary jazz musician, fitting the clue perfectly.

  • The answer is ERIN because Erin Brockovich is a well-known environmental activist and legal clerk who famously built a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in 1993. Her story was popularized in the 2000 movie "Erin Brockovich" starring Julia Roberts.

  • The solution is NINE because, on a telephone keypad, the number 9 is directly adjacent to the "#" symbol. The clue refers to their physical proximity on the keypad layout, making "NINE" the correct answer.

  • The answer "FOR" fits "Supporting" because to be "for" something means to support or advocate it. For example, if you are "for" a cause, you are in favor of and endorsing it, directly aligning with the definition of supporting.

  • The clue "Stir up" suggests causing agitation or irritation. "RILE" means to annoy, provoke, or stir someone up emotionally, fitting the definition perfectly. It conveys the idea of unsettling or disturbing, aligning with the clue's intent.

  • The Forbidden City's Meridian Gate is its main entrance, located in Beijing. It is a famous architectural feature and a key historic landmark. The clue refers to this specific gate, making "GATE" the correct answer. It aligns with the clue's geographical and cultural context.

  • The clue "One who's conspicuously excellent" uses wordplay. "Stout" can mean strong, sturdy, or outstanding, qualities often associated with excellence. Additionally, "conspicuously" hints at someone noticeable or standing out, aligning with the bold, robust nature of the word "stout."

  • The clue ends with "maybe," suggesting a flexible interpretation. A reed is a type of tall, thin plant commonly found standing upright near ponds or marshes. The word “standing” emphasizes the plant's vertical position, making REED the fitting answer.

  • The answer "DOE" refers to a female deer, which is often associated with qualities like gentleness, vulnerability, and purity. These traits align with the symbolic concept of innocence, making "DOE" an apt solution for the clue "Animal symbol of innocence."

  • The answer "ASS" refers to a donkey, commonly mentioned in the Bible as a beast of burden or transport. Donkeys play significant roles in many Biblical narratives, such as Jesus riding one into Jerusalem. Thus, "Biblical beast" aptly describes an ASS in this context.

  • The Lascaux Cave in France is famous for its ancient, stunning paintings created about 17,000 years ago, depicting animals and symbols. These prehistoric works are a remarkable example of early human creativity, encapsulating the term "ART" as a cultural and historical discovery.

  • The clue "Companionship?" with a question mark signals a pun or wordplay. "ARK" fits because Noah's Ark carried pairs of animals, symbolizing companionship. The "?" playfully suggests the Ark as a vessel for pairs and connection, interpreting companionship in a creative way.

  • The clue uses wordplay. A "club" is a suit in a deck of cards, and an "Ace" is a high-ranking card within any suit, including clubs. Therefore, a club (the card suit) might be seen on an Ace (the specific card).

  • The answer "TSO" refers to General Tso, a famous figure associated with the popular Chinese-American dish, General Tso's chicken. The clue plays on "General" being both a military rank and a common name seen on Chinese restaurant menus, making TSO the fitting solution.

  • The phrase "NOIFSANDSORBUTS" means no exceptions or excuses, emphasizing strict adherence. In this puzzle, it signals that the answers to the 10 starred clues must be entered without the words "if," "and," or "but," aligning with the emphatic, rule-driven nature of the clue. This is a clever wordplay-based instruction.

  • The clue "Flat sign" refers to a sign indicating that a flat (apartment) is available. In British English, "TO LET" is commonly used on signs to denote a property for rent. Hence, the answer is TOLET.

  • The answer "OOP" refers to "Alley Oop," a character from a long-running comic strip about a prehistoric caveman. The clue uses the familiar phrase "Alley ___," prompting the solver to complete it with the comic character's name, "OOP." This is a straightforward fill-in-the-blank clue.

  • The clue "Clichéd" means something overused, lacking originality, or boringly predictable. The word "BANAL" perfectly matches this definition, as it describes things that are trite, unoriginal, or commonplace—essentially, the essence of being clichéd. Hence, "BANAL" is an apt solution.

  • The clue "Cluster in an archipelago" refers to a group of islands that form part of an archipelago. "Isles" is a synonym for small islands, making it the correct answer. An archipelago is a collection of isles or islands clustered together in a specific area.

  • The clue "Street urchins" has a playful tone due to the asterisk (*), suggesting wordplay. "Urchins" can mean mischievous kids, implying the past tense. Thus, the answer "WAS" hints that those mischievous "street urchins" are a thing of the past (they once were).

  • The clue "Professional writer of a sort" refers to a stenographer, abbreviated as STENO. Stenographers are professionals who transcribe spoken words into written form, often in legal or official settings, like courtrooms. The term "writer" here doesn't mean an author but someone skilled in writing quickly and accurately.

Down

  • The answer "AVOW" fits "Proclaim" because "avow" means to openly declare or assert something, aligning closely with the definition of proclaim—making something known publicly or affirming it assertively. Both terms convey a sense of clear, confident expression.

  • The answer "MEDI" is short for "medical," which commonly pairs with "care" to form "medical care." The term refers to health-related services, and "Lead-in to care" clues that "MEDI" can prefix "care" to create a meaningful phrase.

  • The clue includes "perhaps," signaling ambiguity or variety. Reservations often require securing ahead of time, and PREPAYMENT ensures commitment, such as paying upfront for hotel bookings or events. The wordplay connects PREPAYMENT as a financial necessity to confirm and hold a reservation.

  • The answer is MYSELF because when "I" is followed by "myself," it creates a redundant phrase often used for emphasis or reflexivity (e.g., "I myself am certain"). The clue hints at this common yet unnecessary construction, aligning perfectly with the word "redundantly."

  • The answer "APT" fits "Inclined" because "apt" can mean "likely" or "disposed," which is synonymous with being inclined toward something. It can also suggest being appropriate or fitting, aligning with the idea of leaning or being naturally suited (inclined) for something.

  • The answer is BRIAN because Brian Cox is a renowned actor who portrays Logan Roy, the patriarch and central character, in the hit HBO series "Succession." This clue directly references his role in this critically acclaimed show, making BRIAN the correct solution.

  • The clue "Armed thieves?" with a question mark suggests a pun or wordplay. Here, "armed" refers to having "arms," and "thieves" implies taking bits off something. The answer, BITS, is a playful pun on how "armed" creatures like mosquitoes or bugs "steal" tiny bites (bits) from you.

  • The answer is OMAHA because the city’s name can be interpreted as two interjections: “O!” expressing surprise or excitement and “Aha!” expressing realization or discovery. This wordplay aligns with the clue’s phrasing and hints at the Midwest city, Omaha, Nebraska.

  • The clue is a straightforward arithmetic puzzle. If this clue’s number is 9 (its location in the puzzle), adding one results in 10. The answer "TEN" precisely represents "this clue's number + one," making it the correct solution.

  • The clue "Not approximate, say" refers to something exact or real. "Actual" fits because it describes something precise or true, contrasting with "approximate," which implies being close but not exact. The addition of "say" suggests a conceptual or descriptive interpretation, perfectly aligning with "actual."

  • Laura Ingalls Wilder's famous "Little House" book series is primarily set on the vast, open grasslands of the American Midwest, known as the prairie. "The Prairie" perfectly describes the natural backdrop for these stories, making it the fitting solution to this clue.

  • The clue "Garner" means to collect, gather, or acquire – similar to harvesting crops. "Reap" is a synonym for gathering a harvest, making it a fitting answer. Both words convey the idea of accumulating or obtaining something.

  • The clue "Huge fan club, so to speak" uses wordplay. The term ARMY refers to the devoted fan base of the global sensation BTS, a K-pop group. "Huge" plays on the immense size of this fandom, and "so to speak" hints at its metaphorical use as an "army" of supporters.

  • The answer is RIO because the 1984 romantic comedy Blame It on Rio stars Michael Caine. The clue directly references the movie title, with "___" indicating the blank to be filled by "Rio," the setting of the film. Thus, RIO is the correct answer.

  • In snooker, "pot" is the term used when a player successfully shoots a ball into one of the table pockets, scoring points. The clue directly references this common snooker action, making "POT" the fitting and accurate answer.

  • The answer "EXTS" is shorthand for "extensions," which are additional numbers linked to a main telephone number. These are often used in offices or organizations to reach specific departments or individuals, making "add-ons" a fitting description.

  • The answer "RASH" matches "Hasty" because both refer to acting quickly without careful thought or consideration. "RASH" can describe impulsive or reckless behavior, aligning with the notion of being overly hasty or rushing into things without deliberation.

  • The clue has a pun, indicated by the question mark. "Removing lumps" suggests smoothing or flattening out. A "STING" from bees or insects often causes swelling (lumps), so "removing lumps" in a whimsical way plays on the idea of reversing the swelling caused by a sting. Hence, STING fits.

  • The clue references "Saint Lucia," an island nation in the Caribbean named after Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia). It cleverly uses "Saint" and "Caribbean" to hint at this country's name, making LUCIA the correct answer. This showcases the Veiled Capitals rule where "Saint" indicates both the country and saintly reference.

  • A "stile" is a structure that allows people to pass over or through a fence or wall while restricting access for livestock, effectively acting as a "barrier to entry." The clue uses this as a literal interpretation of a physical barrier.

  • The clue "Like dress shirts, typically" uses a pun. While it might seem to describe physical traits like "ironed," it's wordplay. "Toned" refers to the polished, neat appearance of a dress shirt, but also subtly evokes fitness or refinement, offering a clever dual meaning.

  • The answer "RAFT" fits because a raft is a crucial emergency item aboard a ship, used for survival if evacuation is needed. It provides a flotation device to keep passengers safe in case of emergencies like sinking or capsizing. The clue directly points to this life-saving equipment.

  • The answer is ITOO as it refers to Langston Hughes' famous poem "I, Too", published during the Harlem Renaissance. The poem powerfully asserts African American identity and equality, aligning with the movement's themes. The title matches the clue directly, making it the fitting solution.

  • ECRU is a pale, light shade that resembles unbleached linen or a beige tone. The clue "Light shade" directly refers to a soft, neutral color like ECRU, making it the perfect fit as the solution. This is a straightforward interpretation of the clue.

  • The answer "DEED" fits the clue "Showed for the first time" as wordplay. To "deed" something (a rare usage) can mean to formally transfer or present something (e.g., via a legal document), metaphorically tying to revealing or showing it for the first time.

  • The clue ends with a question mark, indicating wordplay or a pun. "Buying a gallon of milk, picking up the laundry, etc." sounds like completing errands, but the pun highlights "errs," meaning mistakes. It's a playful suggestion that while doing these tasks, one might "err" or make errors.

  • The clue "Antidotes, perhaps" with the question mark signals wordplay. "Sera" (plural of "serum") refers to treatments derived from blood serum, often used as antidotes to counteract toxins or venoms. The "perhaps" hints at this as one possible type of antidote, not the only kind.

  • The answer is TACO because there's an ongoing internet debate about whether a taco qualifies as a sandwich. Some argue its tortilla "wrap" acts as bread, fulfilling sandwich criteria, while others contend it's a separate category. The question mark in the clue hints at this playful, debatable interpretation.

  • An "oast" is a type of kiln specifically used for drying hops, an essential ingredient in brewing beer. The plural "oasts" fits the clue "Kilns for hops" since multiple kilns are referred to. The term is commonly associated with traditional brewing.

  • The clue "Neighbors of Croats" refers to people living near Croats, who are from Croatia. Serbia borders Croatia, and Serbs are the dominant ethnic group in Serbia. Thus, the Serbs are literal neighbors to the Croats geographically. This makes "SERBS" the correct answer.

  • The answer "ANTI" fits the clue "Not supporting" because "anti" means being opposed to or against something, which aligns with the idea of not supporting it. The word captures opposition rather than endorsement, making it a clear and concise solution.

  • The clue "Down Under bounders" uses a pun. "Down Under" refers to Australia, and "bounders" hints at animals that bound or hop. Kangaroos, often called "roos" in Australia, are known for hopping. Thus, "ROOS" is the correct solution.

  • The clue "Cultivate" matches the answer TILL because "till" means to prepare and work the soil for planting crops, which aligns directly with the concept of cultivating or farming. This is a straightforward synonym relationship between the clue and the answer.

  • The phrase "Have down" means to understand something completely or have mastered it, which aligns with the meaning of KNOW. For example, if you "have something down," you essentially KNOW it thoroughly. Hence, KNOW is the correct solution.

  • The answer is ASPS because Indiana Jones, the famous movie archaeologist, has a well-known fear of snakes, famously expressed in scenes from the films. "Asps" are venomous snakes, fitting the clue and aligning with his phobia portrayed throughout the Indiana Jones series.

  • The clue "Get ready to hit all the right notes?" uses wordplay, indicated by the question mark. To "TUNE" something, such as a musical instrument, means to adjust it to produce the correct notes. Thus, tuning ensures you’re prepared to hit "all the right notes."

  • The answer "STAN" refers to Stan Smith, a prominent American tennis player who was a major champion in the 1970s. He won the US Open in 1971 and Wimbledon in 1972 and was also known for his iconic footwear line with Adidas, making his name recognizable beyond tennis circles.

  • Oscarshall Palace is a historic royal palace located in Oslo, Norway's capital. The clue refers to this landmark, directly linking the answer, OSLO, to its role as the city where the palace resides. This geographical fact solidly supports why OSLO is the solution.

  • The clue "Cost of doing business, maybe" with the question mark suggests wordplay. "Fee" fits because fees are common costs businesses encounter for services like licensing, memberships, or transactions. The "maybe" signals it’s one possible answer among other costs, highlighting the wordplay.

  • The clue "Doomed from the get-go, for short" hints at something that is immediately hopeless or unsuccessful, often "dead on arrival." The answer, DOA, is a well-known abbreviation for "dead on arrival," effectively capturing the idea of being doomed from the start.

  • The answer is BAT because bats are mammals that commonly dwell in caves, using them as shelter and roosting spots. This aligns literally with the clue, as it describes an animal naturally associated with caves. No wordplay or misdirection is present in this straightforward clue.

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