02.25.09 -- SPIKED

Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Puzzle by Kelly Browder, edited by Will Shortz
SPIKED (48D. (21- and 52-Across and 3- and 31-Down might be), along with NEWS STORIES (21A. Pulitzer Prize entries), VOLLEY BALLS (52A. They may be served at the beach), IRON FENCES (3D. Some ornamental barriers), and PUNCH BOWLS (31D. Party servers) are this Wednesday crossword’s interrelated entries -- as for SPIKED, a dozen other uses of the word are possible.
The next longest entries are of seven letters and include LECTERN (37A. Stand that a speaker might take),
POLARIS (42D. Star in Ursa Minor), SPINNER (39A. Randomizing device), TIPSTER (7D. One with the inside track at the track?).
Six letter entries -- ADAPTS (29A. Makes evolutionary changes), ADORES (17A. Is nuts for),
ARAWAK (61A. Indian encountered by Columbus), FERULE (35D. Schoolmaster’s rod), ICETEA (9D. Summer cooler), LAREDO (14A. U.S./Mexico border city), MORALE (47D. It may need boosting), NOFEAR (34A. Brand of clothing or energy drink), ORDAIN (23D. Make a father of), PAYOLA (44D. Radio no-no), PICNIC (42A. Meal on a blanket), 1D. “PLATOS Republic”, PRIMER (1A. Base coat), RADIAL (2D. Michelin offering), SASSED (68A. Dissed verbally), 65A. “STILLE Nacht” (German carol), TOSSUP (43A. Even chance).
Five-letter --
AMNIO (30D. Prenatal test, for short), AMUSE (36A. Tickle), DOTES (27D. Spoils, with “on”), IBEAM (50D. Construction girder), LAILA (49A. Muhammad’s pugilistic daughter), MOIST (8D. Like a towelette), OTTER (25A. Web-footed animal), SISAL (39D. Rope fiber), STEER (41A. Burgers on the hoof), WOMAN (22D. John’s ode to Yoko).
Short stuff -- AER,
AIS, AME and AMS, ATOM, BOP, CARR, CEDE, DONE, EDEN, EMTS, ETAS, ETO, ETUI, IOC, LAI, LARA, LASS, LST and LSAT, MER, OAF, OER, OHMS, ORI, OSS, OTOE, PCS, PIE, ROSE, RUNT, SEAT, SER, SLED, SRTA, TIN, TMI, TORA, TSE, VETS (52D. Checks out thoroughly).
In more ways than one, spiked!
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. “More than I need to know,” in modern lingo; 10. Turn over; 15. Games org.; 16. Tiny bit; 18. Chart shape; 19. Littlest sucker; 24. Big lug; 26. Ride with runners; 28. ___ Zion Church; 45. Old spy org.; 46. Resistance units; 51. Some jazz; 58. “… ___ quit!”; 59. ORD or LAX figs.; 60. Above, to bards; 63. When tripled, a 1970 war film; 64. My ___, Vietnam; 66. Boarding pass datum; 67. Pro-___ (some tourneys). Down: 4. Fruits de ___ (menu heading); 5. Scene of a fall; 6. Sommelier’s selection; 10. Singer Vikki; 11. Place for a thimble; 12 Reading to serve; 13. Rescue crew, briefly; 28. ___ Lingus; 32. Philosopher Lao- ___; 33. Sun. speech; 37. W.W. II transport: Abbr.; 38. Arena where 37-Downs were used: Abbr.; 40. CD burners; 53. Oklahoma tribe; 54. Zhivago’s love; 55. Aspiring atty.’s exam; 56. Bonny one; 57. Mex. Miss; 62. Grafton’s “ ___ for Alibi”.

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