02.05.10 -- O Naked Moon Full-Orbed!

Orbed--so the woman-figure poets call

Because of rounds on rounds--that apple-shaped

Head which its hair binds close into a ball

Each side the curving ears--that pure undraped

Pout of the sister paps--that . . . once for all,

Say--her consummate circle thus escaped

With its innumerous circlets, sank absorbed,

Safe in the cloud--O naked Moon full-orbed!

— from Pan and Luna by Robert Browning

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Friday, February 5, 2010

Puzzle by Joe Krozel, edited by Will Shortz

Eight fifteen-letter entries are the main feature of this frightfully formal first Friday in February crossword:

• ACROSS THE BORDER (3D. Like an extradition transition);
• DIALS NINE ONE ONE (12D. Calls for a quick dispatch);
• ELEPHANT TRAINER (47A. Big-top worker with a big responsibility);
• ENTENTE CORDIALE (2D. Summit success);
• I’M NOT INTERESTED (13D. “Try someone else”);
• MADE A MENTAL NOTE (44A. Stored something for future use?);
• ONCE IN A LIFETIME (15A. Very rarely indeed);
• STREET MUSICIANS (17A. They’re often tipped on sidewalks).

Eight-letter -- BOYCOTTS (31D. Doesn’t buy, in a way); GET THERE (27A. Arrive); LOOK-SEES (33A. Quick surveys); SAMOVARS (7D. Some tearoom equipment).

Seven -- GOOD MEN (32D. Marine Corps candidates, it’s said); NERISSA (48A. Maid in “The Merchant of Venice”); SCREEDS (49A. Drawn-out dissertations); SISTERS (34D. Residents of some campus houses); TEATROS (1A. Mexican play places); TESTING (14D. “1, 2, 3” lead-in); TOSSING (1D. Sign of fitful sleep); WE DID IT (8A. Cry of accomplishment).

Six -- BORING (29A. [Yawn]); BRYANT (31A. Lane in a mall); CHAMPS (30A. They may get belted); GOES AT (32A. Charges); LATENT (33D. Scarcely visible fingerprint); LUPONE (16D. “Gypsy” Tony winner); 35A. “O naked Moon full-ORBED!”: Browning; SELENA (36D. 1993 Grammy winner for Best Mexican-American Album); WISE TO (8D. Hardly ignorant of).

Five -- ADANO, AHMAD, ANEST, AURAS, AVOTE, BROTH, EFILE, INNIE, OPELS, RETCH, ROLEO (42A. Loggers‘ contest), ROMAS, ROYKO, RUNIN, SAYTO, SEOUL, TASER, TEE UP (4D. Start a hole).

Short stuff -- ALAR, ARC, ASTI, DECS, DIR, EPI, Spanish conquistadora INES de Suárez, INSP, “That’s I TI quit!”, LOT, NTS, ODOR, ONT, “… OR I will!”, RAHS and RIEL.

O naked Moon full-orbed! 

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

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Remaining clues -- ACROSS: 18. Home of Samsung Tower Palace; 19. Astra and Antara; 20. Often-improved thing); 21. P.D. Rank; 22. “Let’s take ___“; 23. Italian province or its capital; 24. Windows options; 25. Title town in a 1945 Pulitzer-winning novel; 26. Drop by quickly; 36. Tell; 38. Podiatric problem; 39. Heave; 41. Mgt. member; 43. “___ of Simple Folk“ (Seán Ó Faoláin novel). DOWN: 5. Indochinese currency; 6. Bruce Peninsula locale: Abbr.; 9. Option for one’s return; 10. Fourth qtr. Enders; 22. More than capable; 23. Unseen surroundings; 28. Current device for a cop?; 29. Stock option; 25. Jamal of jazz; 26. 1972 Pulitzer winner for Commentary; 39. Some tomatoes; 40. About 90% of people have one; 42. Fan sounds; 45. Something left of center?; 46. Compass creation.