08.10.09 -- The Hand II

Study of a Hand -- Leonardo da Vinci

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Monday, August 10, 2009

Puzzle by Paula Gamache, edited by Will Shortz

HANDSET (27D. Phone part … or a title for this puzzle?), PALM READER (17A. Examiner of heart and life lines), NAIL POLISH (56A. Small bottle in a purse), KNUCKLE BALL (10D. Slow pitch with a little spin) and FINGER PAINT (25D. Messy art medium for kids) are the interrelated entries of this Monday puzzle. This past November 18th crossword gave us other variations on THE HAND.

Mid-size entries include APPEAL (31A. Attractiveness); CAUSING (39D. Producing as a result); CLASSIC (51A. Enduring literary work); CUBICLE (21A. Partitioned-off work space); EASTER (45D. Egg-dyeing time); EXITED (29A. Left the building); MARISA (9D. Actress Tomei); PEELED (5D. Skinned, as potatoes); PEGLEG (46A. Pirate support, stereotypically) and PENPAL (46D. Someone from whom you might collect exotic stamps); REBUKE (44A. Call on the carpet); TRUMPET (15D. Louis Armstrong’s instrument).

Five-letter -- CADET (39A. Student at the Citadel); DANSK (42A. Tableware inspired by Scandinavian design); EXALT (14A. Praise highly); EXAMS (6D. Midterms and finals); EXILE (24D. Napoleon, on Elba); 62A. Persona non GRATA; LINEN (33A. Sheets pillowcases, etc.); MASKS (28A. Halloween purchases); 43D. MENLO Park (Edison’s lab site); MIATA (43A. Sporty Mazda); MULTI (49D. Prefix with vitamin); OLLIE (47D. One-toothed dragon of old children’s TV); OPALS (47A. Iridescent gems); RAMEN (18D. Japanese noodle dish); RELAY (23D. Race with batons); SNEER (34A. Look of disdain); STAGE (37D. Where a 51-Down performs); TELLS (11D. Spills the beans); TUTEE (36D. Private pupil).

Short stuff -- ABUT, AIG and AIL, ALGA, ALIT, ANEW, ARIA, ASHE, BAER, BALM and LAMB, CARE, CAST, DBLS, DOUX, ELEC, EMIL, ERA, ETS, HEX, IAM, ISO, LEE and YEE, MESH, MKTS, PEEK, PETE, REF, RULE, SAN, SHU, SINE, SWEE, TAD, TEA, TETR, TMEN, UNLV, VLAD, ZAP, ZEAL.

Give this a hand!

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Intense enthusiasm; Townshend of the Who; 9. Stock exchanges: Abbr.; 13. Diva’s solo; 16. All over again; 19. “Look twice before crossing,” e.g.; 20. Soothing ointment; 23. N.B.A. official; 26. Fishnet stocking material; 35. Beings from out of this world, in brief; 38. Pond organism; 40. Border on; 41. “___ -haw!: (western rider’s cry); 48. Feds who catch counterfeiters; 50. Golfer Trevino; 53. The Runnin’ Rebels of the N.C.A.A.; 55. Came to earth; 61. ___ qua non; 63. Tennis champ Arthur; 64. Four: Prefix; 65. First Best Actor winner Jannings; 66. Billet-___ (love letter). Down: 1. Hit with high voltage; 2. Chapter in history; 3. Feel sick; 4. Gentle creature; 7. Tiny bit; 8. Basic util.; 12. ___’ Pea (Popeye’s boy); 32. Sneak preview; 34. Sent to the bottom; 40. Insurance giant in 2009 news; 42. Two-base hits: Abbr.; 51. See 37-Down; 52. Give a dam; 54. Prince called “The Impaler,” who was the inspiration for Dracula; 57. “___ the Walrus”; 58. Equal: Prefix; 59. Moo ___ pork; 60. Evil spell.