02.07.09 -- Puzzle

Oedipus and the Sphinx -- 5th c. BC Attic cup by Douris
-----------------
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Puzzle by Pete Muller, edited by Will Shortz
A dozen ten-letter entries, three in each corner of the puzzle, are the main feature of this Saturday crossword -- upper right across,
SMARTDRUGS (5. Enhancers of cognitive abilities), PENTHOUSES (16. Places to live the high life?), LATEDINNER (18. Follower of an extra-long workday) -- lower right down, FOUNDATION (28. Something to build on), IDEALISTIC (29. Not real-world), BARRELROLL (30. Aerobatic maneuver) -- lower left across, LIVEINMAID (50. Upper-class luxury), OCEANBORNE (54. Little bottles with S O S messages, typically), ROCKGARDEN (56. Spot to show off alpine plants) -- upper left down, SEXOBJECTS (1. Idols, often), ABERRATION (2. Anomaly), MONTECARLO (3. Solitaire game of matching pairs of cards), giving the corners SEX, DRUGS, ROCK and ROLL.
Mid-size entries -- BREVITY (22A. Rambler's lack); DOINGIN (10D. Icing); JACOBS (26A. "Grease" co-writer Jim); REDDEN (42D. Betray shame);
RIDDLE (42A. It doesn't have an obvious answer); LEMONSODA (32A. Drink with a bite); SETSAIL (44A. Headed out for the drink; SPLITS (95D. Cheerleaders' display); TALKING (38D. Activity avoided by 24-Down); TOLDTALES (37A. Produced 28-Acrosses).
Five-letter -- 31A.
The Louvre's Salles des ETATS; FEVER (27D. Pyrexia); FRANK (45A. Open); LALAW (32D. Hit NBC series succeeded in its time slot by "ER"); LUNAR (39A. Kind of cycle); MEATY (6D. Substantial); MIMES (24D. Those whose actions speak louder than words?); NEARS (21A. Comes up to); RAVES (35A. Sounds unsound); RUNES (11D. Old character set); SCUDS (33D. Gulf war weaponry); SEINE (44D. It's under the Pont Neuf); SNEAK (43D. Choice for third and short); VOTED (23D. Supported a runner).
Short stuff -- AJAR, ANTZ, AVEC, CARD, CEDE, CIRE, CUER, EBON, ENA, ENCL,
FIB, FIFI, FLOR, GEER, LITE, MOR, MUGS, NBA, ORT, RAJA, RIBS, RICO, RITZ, ROIL, RTE, SAME, SLAW, SNO, SSRS, THD, TITO, TOIL, TRE, TSR, UFOS, USNA, XENA.
-----------------
For today's cartoon, go to
The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
Click on image to enlarge.
Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery subscription.

Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Unoriginal order, with "the"; 15. Raven; 17. Lawless vehicle; 19. Meal bit; 20. Extravagant display; 24. Acts clownishly; 27. Maggie's dog in "Bringing Up Father"; 28. Trumped-up bit; 34. Glazed, waxy fabric finish; 36. Move caller for a round dance; 40. ___ Balls (snack brand); 41. Somewhat open; 43. Uncooked side; 48. Give up; 49. Original dungeons & Dragons co.; 53. W.W. II partisan leader; 55. Muddy; 57. Letter abbr. Down: 4. Disney doe; 7. Animated film featuring the voices of Gene Hackman and Sylvester Stallone; 8. G.P.S. request; 9. Seminary deg.; 12. John McCain's alma mater: Abbr.; 13. Emmy winner Will; 14. Bygone Black Sea borderers: Abbr.; 20. Rack parts; 25. Potential hoax subjects; 35. Asian royal; 39. Miller option; 45. Rosa or violeta, por ejemplo; 46. First baseman Brogna; 47. Matisse's "Jeune fille ___ tiare"; 48. Jester; 51. Org. with guards; 52. Neighbor of Alg.; 53. Amount past due?

No comments: