Certain Microsoft Office files, to an ancient Roman? - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer is HAMM because Jon Hamm played Vice Admiral Beau "Cyclone" Simpson in the 2022 movie Top Gun: Maverick. The clue directly refers to the actor's role in the film, making HAMM the correct solution.

In calculus, an integral calculates the total accumulation of quantities, often represented graphically as the area under a curve within specified bounds. Thus, "Integral calculation" results in the answer AREA, as it directly refers to finding the area through integration.

"LANS" stands for Local Area Networks, which are setups connecting devices within a limited area, like a home or office. Routers are commonly used in these networks to manage connections. The "in brief" signals an abbreviation, making "LANS" the concise, accurate answer.

In poker, a "flush draw" refers to holding four cards of the same suit, needing only one more card of that suit to complete a flush (five cards of the same suit). The clue directly describes this scenario, making FLUSHDRAW the correct answer.

Clark Kent is Superman's secret identity, making Clark Kent's "other self" or counterpart his alter ego.

This pair forms a neat clue-answer loop. COWS are identified by what they produce—MOOS, the characteristic sounds associated with cattle. Solvers can get either answer first and use it to confirm the other.

A MOO is the familiar lowing sound made by a cow. The clue cross-references COWS, creating a playful circular relationship in which each answer helps define the other.

The answer is ESC because the "Escape" key (ESC) is located next to the Touch Bar on certain Mac laptops. The Touch Bar is a contextual touchscreen interface on these devices, and the ESC key remains a physical key positioned to its left for functionality and accessibility.

The clue "Ocean mist" refers to the moist, fog-like phenomenon often found over the sea. SEAFOG matches perfectly, as it describes the low-lying fog occurring when warm, moist air meets cooler ocean waters, forming this "mist" on the ocean's surface. It’s a literal interpretation.

The clue "Convex physical feature" refers to a belly button (navel) type. An "OUTIE" is a navel that protrudes outward, making it convex in shape. This contrasts with an "innie," which is concave. The term "outie" directly describes this defining convex characteristic.

The answer is ALAN because Alan Menken is a renowned composer who has won an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony). He’s famous for his work on Disney classics like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, solidifying his status as a highly decorated musical talent.

The answer "KNIT" works because "furrow, as one's brow" refers to the act of drawing the eyebrows together in tension or concentration, which resembles knitting. "Knit" describes that wrinkling or tightening motion of the brow, aligning with this specific figurative usage.

The answer "SANS" comes from the French word meaning "without." It is often used in English, especially in design or formal contexts, to mean "lacking" or "absent" something, directly aligning with the clue "Without."

The answer is PATS because it’s a common nickname for the New England Patriots, the N.F.L. team that plays at Gillette Stadium. "To fans" indicates an informal or shortened reference, which fits the affectionate abbreviation "Pats" often used by their supporters.

The answer "LARA" refers to Lara Spencer, a well-known TV journalist and television personality, best recognized as a co-host on ABC's Good Morning America. Her prominent career in TV journalism makes her the fitting solution to this clue.

The answer "VERITY" directly means "truth" in English. Both words share the definition of being in accordance with fact or reality. This is a straightforward, non-punny clue where the provided term is a synonym for the solution.

The clue "Traffic jam cacophony" suggests a noisy, chaotic sound typical of traffic jams. "Cacophony" implies loud and unpleasant sounds, and in a traffic jam, this often refers to the sound of car horns. The plural "HONKS" perfectly fits this description as the noise from multiple honking vehicles.

The phrase "Barely winning, say" refers to having a minimal lead, such as being ahead by just one point. "UP ONE" is commonly used to express being ahead by a single unit in games or scores, making it the apt solution for the clue.

The answer "NEVER" fits the clue because in the phrase "never say never," the word "never" appears on either side of "say." This clue relies on recognizing the well-known expression, making it a wordplay-based solution.

The clue "People one might meet at a drive" uses a pun. A "drive" can refer to a donation drive, such as for blood, food, or charity. The people participating in these events are typically "donors," making DONORS the fitting answer.

The clue "Bounded" refers to the action of jumping or leaping, as "bound" can mean to spring or move with a leap. "LEAPT" is the past tense of "leap," aligning perfectly with the definition and tense of the clue.

The answer is CHLOE because Chloe Kim is a famous Olympic snowboarder from the United States. She won the gold medal in the women's halfpipe at the 2018 Winter Olympics and 2022 Winter Olympics, making her one of the most celebrated snowboarders in the sport's history.

The clue "Reservations" refers to feelings of hesitation or uncertainty, which aligns with the definition of "DOUBT." This word captures the sense of questioning or second-guessing something, making it a fitting answer. The clue's simplicity hints at its direct yet abstract meaning.

The clue "Shows up" refers to the act of arriving or making an appearance. The word "COMES" perfectly fits as it means to arrive at a place or appear somewhere, aligning directly with the clue's meaning.

The clue "Bargain hunter's targets" directly refers to what bargain hunters typically look for: items being sold at a reduced price. "SALE ITEMS" fits perfectly as it describes discounted products that align with a bargain hunter’s goal, matching the clue's straightforward meaning.

The clue "Most perilous" seeks the superlative form of an adjective meaning "dangerous." "Risky" means dangerous, and its superlative form is "riskiest," indicating the highest degree of peril. Thus, RISKIEST appropriately matches the clue as it describes something at the greatest risk or danger.

CHAD is the correct answer because it geographically borders both Niger and Nigeria, forming a tripoint where all three countries meet. Located in central Africa, this tripoint lies near the northeastern corner of Nigeria and the southeastern border of Niger.

The phrase "Fall short" means to not meet expectations or goals, which aligns directly with the meaning of the word "FAIL." To fail is to be unsuccessful in achieving something, effectively "falling short" of success, making FAIL the perfect fit for this clue.

The clue "Test of will" refers to a challenging or difficult experience that tests one's determination or resolve. ORDEAL perfectly fits, as it describes a severe test or trial, often requiring strength or perseverance to overcome, which aligns well with the "will" being tested.

The clue "Stable females" refers to female animals typically found in a stable. MARES are adult female horses, which are commonly housed in stables. Here, "stable" is literal—referring to the place where horses are kept—making MARES the fitting answer.

AFRO is the correct answer because Bob Ross, the iconic painter and TV personality known for The Joy of Painting, famously wore a large, curly hairstyle called an afro. This distinctive hairstyle became a key part of his recognizable look throughout his career.

The clue references a famous quote by playwright George Bernard Shaw, which states, "There is no love sincerer than the love of food." FOOD is the solution because it completes this well-known aphorism, emphasizing the universal and deep affection people often have for food.

The clue "Villainous ploy" suggests a deceitful or cunning trick typically used with malicious intent. A "ruse" perfectly fits this description, as it means a clever or deceptive strategy often used to mislead others, aligning with the villainous aspect of the clue.

AGRA is the correct answer because it is a city in northern India, home to the world-famous Taj Mahal, a mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is one of the most iconic structures in the world, fitting the clue perfectly.

The clue "Prompts" aligns with the answer CUES because "cues" can mean signals or hints that prompt someone to act, speak, or respond. It's a synonym for the word "prompts," commonly used in contexts like theater, conversation, or guidance.

Blue lobsters are an extremely uncommon genetic anomaly, making their occurrence extraordinarily unusual. The word "RARE" perfectly describes something that is very uncommon or unique, which aligns with the clue’s description of blue lobsters.

The clue "That ___ funny" represents a conversational phrase where someone dismisses a joke or statement as not being funny. The contraction "ISN'T" (short for "is not") effectively completes the phrase, matching the tone and wording of the clue.

The answer "PEAS" refers to "mushy peas," a traditional British side dish often served with fish and chips. Mushy peas are made by mashing cooked peas, resulting in their soft, "mushy" texture, perfectly aligning with the clue's description of a "mushy" side dish.

The answer is ACE because in aviation, a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more enemy aircraft is referred to as an "ace." The term signifies expertise and esteem, perfectly aligning with the clue "Esteemed fighter pilot."