07.23.14 — Blank Check


Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Puzzle by Howard Barkin / Edited by Will Shortz


BLANK CHECK (59A. Complete freedom … and a hint to each half of the answer to each starred clue), BODY DOUBLE (18A. *Movie stand-in), BACKGROUND SOUND (29A. *Crowd noise, for example) and PERSONAL BAGGAGE (46A. *One’s physical or emotional burdens) constitute the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.

Other — A KEY (58D. Solution t the classic riddle “What force or strength cannot get through, / I, with gentle touch can do”), AGA KHAN (45D. Shiite leader who clams direct descent from Muhammad), ASKANCE (43D. With suspicion, as a look), BOAR (1A. Truffle-seeking beast), DARKENS (57A. What the moon does during a lunar eclipse), EQUATOR (10D. Where it’s always zero degrees), RUN COLD (24D. What your blood may do when you’re frightened), SWAK (52A. Love-letter words), TIME OUT (20A. Toddler’s banishment to a corner, say), TOCCATA (38A. Bach work).

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