Expert on inheritance - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer is HARP because the harp is a national symbol of Ireland and appears on the country's emblem, coins, and official documents. It's a traditional stringed instrument deeply connected to Ireland's culture, history, and heritage, representing its identity and pride.

The clue "Together, musically" points to the Italian phrase "a due," which translates to "for two" in English. In musical terms, "a due" (or ADUE) indicates a passage meant to be played or sung by two performers together. Italian terminology is commonly used in music.

The clue "Magician's cry" suggests a phrase commonly exclaimed during magic tricks. ALAKAZAM is a classic magical incantation often shouted by magicians to create a sense of wonder or signal the moment a trick is performed. The word's playful, evocative nature makes it a fitting answer.

The clue "Treats again, in a way, as a sprain" with the answer RETAPES plays on the idea of reapplying supportive tape to an injured area like a sprained joint. "Treats again" signals "re-" and athletic injury treatment often involves taping, hence RETAPES fits perfectly.

The solution is OLSON because Kaitlin Olson is the actress who portrays "Sweet Dee" Reynolds in the TV show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The clue directly references her name as part of cast recognition for the show.

The prefix "pico-" in the metric system represents one-trillionth or 10⁻¹². It is commonly used in scientific measurements, such as picoseconds (one-trillionth of a second) or picometers. The clue explicitly asks for a prefix denoting one-trillionth, making "PICO" the correct answer.

The EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, monitors air quality in the U.S. and provides the Air Quality Index (A.Q.I.), a measurement of air pollution. The clue directly relates to the EPA's role as the key organization responsible for tracking and reporting on air quality.

The clue "Eagles and Ravens" refers to professional football teams—the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens—both part of the National Football League (NFL). Since the clue is plural, the answer is "NFLTEAMS," encompassing both as members of the league.

The clue "Hush" is a direct synonym for SILENCE. Both words imply quietness or the absence of sound. Since the clue is not marked as having wordplay or additional layers, the straightforward meaning fits perfectly, making SILENCE the correct answer.

The solution "PLINTH" fits the clue "Base for a bust" because a plinth is a solid, flat base or platform that supports a statue, bust, or column. It is a term commonly used in architecture and sculpture to describe the foundational structure under such pieces.

ALOE is the solution because it is commonly known for its soothing and medicinal properties, particularly in providing relief for burns, cuts, and skin irritations. The phrase "Source of relief" directly refers to the aloe plant, which produces gel widely used for healing and comfort.

The clue "One out of a hundred?" plays on the idea of wordplay. A cent is 1/100th of a dollar, aligning with "one out of a hundred." The question mark hints at this pun, referring to currency and not a literal count. Thus, CENT is the fitting answer.

The answer "ERS" stands for Emergency Rooms. These are "locales" where some individuals temporarily reside due to medical emergencies. The clue specifies "in brief," indicating an abbreviation, which aligns with "ERS" as a shortened form of Emergency Rooms.

The answer "BID" fits because "Offered" can mean to propose or present something, such as an offer. A bid is a proposal or offer, particularly in contexts like auctions or negotiations, aligning directly with the clue's definition. The clue is straightforward with no wordplay.

The clue specifies "el día de San Valentín" (Valentine's Day) and uses Spanish, signaling the answer is also in Spanish. "Te amo" translates to "I love you," a common romantic sentiment for Valentine's Day, making TEAMO the fitting solution.

SIGMA is a Greek letter, and in Gen-Z slang, it refers to a "lone wolf" personality type—someone independent, self-reliant, and not conforming to societal hierarchies. This contrasts with "alpha" personalities, emphasizing self-sufficiency and individuality, aligning with the clue's description.

ENRON is the solution because the company was involved in a massive accounting scandal in the early 2000s, leading to its bankruptcy in 2001. This caused a dramatic collapse in its stock price, making it one of the most infamous corporate failures in history.

The clue "Not-so-private diaries?" uses wordplay, suggesting a clever reimagining of "diaries." BLOGS are often personal online journals or diaries shared publicly, making them "not-so-private." This aligns with the idea of a modern, open diary format accessible to anyone online.

The clue "A+ giver?" uses wordplay. It refers to someone who "gives" A+ blood, a type of blood group. A BLOOD DONOR provides blood for transfusions, including A+ blood type, making "BLOOD DONOR" the apt answer to this pun-based clue.

The clue "Volunteer's suggestion" hints at something a volunteer might say to offer themselves for a task. The phrase "USE ME" is a direct and appropriate way someone might express their willingness to help, fitting both contextually and linguistically as the solution.

In Greek mythology, a "nonet" refers to a group of nine, which aligns with the nine MUSES. These goddesses are associated with the arts, sciences, and inspiration (like poetry, music, and astronomy), making "MUSES" the fitting answer to this clue.

The answer "FORMS" fits "Creates" because to form something means to create or bring it into existence. The two words are synonyms, aligning perfectly in meaning as one can "form" or "create" a structure, idea, or object.

The phrase "rare bird" is an idiom describing someone unique or extraordinary, hence "one-of-a-kind individual." The answer blends literal and figurative meanings, where "rare" reflects uniqueness and "bird" metaphorically refers to a person. This matches the clue's meaning effectively.

The clue uses a pun with "trying to move quickly." A FIRESALE involves rapidly selling off items, often at discounted prices, to clear inventory. The urgency of a fire sale aligns with the metaphor of rushing or "moving quickly" to offload items.

The answer is LAVERNE because Laverne Cox is a well-known actress and activist. She gained prominence for her role in Orange Is the New Black and is a prominent advocate for transgender rights, making her a fitting answer to the clue "Actress/activist Cox."

The clue “Part of a film studio's overhead?” uses wordplay, as indicated by the question mark. A "boom mic" is a microphone mounted on a long, adjustable pole, often held overhead by a sound technician during film shoots. This literal overhead equipment perfectly fits the pun in the clue.

The answer "FELTOK" is derived phonetically and playfully from "felt OK," indicating a state of recovery or no longer being "under the weather." The clue uses wordplay to cleverly hint at this sound-based interpretation of the phrase.

"HOU" is the abbreviation for Houston, home to the NBA team called the Rockets. On a sports scoreboard, teams are typically represented by their city abbreviations, so "The Rockets" would appear as "HOU" to signify Houston.

The clue "Shares a big fish story, say" involves wordplay and a hint of exaggeration. Telling a "big fish story" typically means boasting or exaggerating accomplishments, which aligns with the meaning of "BRAGS." The key is the playful reference to sharing such stories as a form of boasting.

The clue "Pretty please?" includes a question mark, signaling wordplay. It suggests a polite request, and "Can I?" is a common spoken phrase used when asking for permission or a favor, which aligns perfectly with the tone of "Pretty please." CANI is the phonetic representation of this phrase.

The answer is ERIC because Eric Dickerson is a famed former running back for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL. Widely regarded as one of the greatest in NFL history, he set the single-season rushing record in 1984. The clue references his legendary status with the Rams.

The clue "Rackets" is a play on words. While "rackets" could refer to sports equipment, in this case, it hints at loud, unpleasant noises. "Dins" is a synonym for loud, tumultuous sounds, making it the correct answer for this pun-based clue.

The clue "One might be ticked off" uses wordplay. A "list" is a series of items that can be "ticked off" or checked off one by one. The phrase "ticked off" cleverly refers to marking items as completed, making "LIST" the fitting answer.

OATS is a fitting answer because parfaits are often layered with yogurt, fruits, and granola. Granola is commonly made with oats, making them a typical topping. The clue specifies "common," pointing to ingredients frequently used in parfaits, and oats are a staple in many granola recipes.

The answer "BOK" refers to "bok choy," a type of Chinese cabbage commonly used in Asian cuisine. The blank in the clue "___ choy" suggests the need to complete the name of this well-known vegetable, making "BOK" the correct and fitting solution.

The clue "By" can refer to the means or route through which something is accomplished. "VIA" means "by way of" or "through," aligning perfectly with the clue’s definition. It is concise and synonymous with "by" when used in this context.