10.22.08 -- Zzzzzzz!

Flaming June, by Fredrick Lord Leighton

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Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Puzzle by Gary J. Whitehead, edited by Will Shortz

BED (68A. With 70-Across, what the end of 17-, 33-, 42- or 63-Across describes) SIZE (70A. See 68-Across), along with SIAMESETWIN (17A. Eng, for one); MAKEMINEADOUBLE (33A. Bar request); THEAFRICANQUEEN (42A. 1951 film named for a boat); and THE LIONKING (63A. “Circle of Life” musical) comprise the interrelated entries of this Wednesday crossword.

CLASSTRIP (53A. Museum visit, maybe); FIELDMICE (21A. Meadow denizens); FORSTER (43D. “Howards End” novelist); and TENDSTO (10D. Looks after) are the remaining long entries, followed by six-letter entries -- ADONIS (32D. Dreamboat); ARARAT (5A. Genesis terminus); EASIER (66A. Less tough); EDAMES (34D. Mingo player on “Daniel Boone”); ÉMIGRÉ (24D. Asylum seeker, perhaps); LENORE (15A. Poe maiden); MRSULU (22D. Crewmate of Capt. Kirk); RIPEST (69A. At the peak of maturity).

Five-letter entries -- ACERB (48D. Sharp-tasting); ARMED (4D. Dangerous partner?); ASTER (48A. Provider of some fall color); ATEIT (11D. Took the loss); CCLEF (20A. Staff symbol); EFREM (18D. Violinist Zimbalist); GETTO (40A. Irk); LUKAS (52D. “Witness” actor Haas); MOLES (13D. Some spies); NATAL (31D. Brazilian seaport); NUBIA (58A. Nile Valley region); 30D. “ONEIS the loneliest number”; QUINN (44D. Zorba player); SLATE (49D. Online current affairs magazine); SRTAS (25A. Mex. Misses); TARED (50D. Deducted from the gross weight); TOSCA (12D. “Vissi d’arte” opera).

Three- and four-letter -- ABEE and AGEE, ALS, ANTI, ARIL, ATM, BAER, BETA, BIBI, BOSC, DASH, DRE, EAR, EMO, EPIC, ESL, ETNA, ILIE, INEZ, LAIT, LIEN, LIU, MOES, NATS, OPER, PIES, REEF, RESP, RNA, ROWE, RTE, SDS, SIL, SKEE, SMUT, TEAL, THAI, TOO, USED, and ETC (35D. Yadda yadda yadda).

Zzzzzzz!

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THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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Xword information -- Across: 1. Test version; 11. Keypad location; 14. Button below TUV; 16. To boot; 19. Alien’s subj.; 23. Eminem collaborator, informally; 26. Grp. Opposed to the Vietnam War; 29. Modern music genre; 31. M.L.B. team with a “W” insignia; 39. Like many products on eBay; 41. Bebe’s intake; 45. Springfield tavern; 46. Lucy of “Kill Bill”; 47. Messenger ___; 51. R.S.V.P. part; 62. Plug place; 65. U.S. hwy., e.g.; “Sting like ___”. Down: 1. Winter pear; 2. Grand; 3. Florida Marlins color; 5. Capp and Capone; 6. Site of many a shipwreck; 7. Prefix with matter; 8. T. ___ Price (investment firm); 9. Seed covering; 26. Blue prints?; 27. Salt amount; 28. ___-Ball (arcade game); 36. Max of the ring; 37. Claim against property; 38. Italy’s Mt. ___; 54. Asian cuisine; 55. Legal defendant: Abbr.; 56. 1976 loser to Bjorn at Wimbledon; 57. Pizzas; 59. Israel’s Netanyahu, familiarly; 60. Don Juan’s mother; 61. Winner of a posthumous Pulitzer; 64. Scrap for Rover.