05.28.08 -- BALLS

Spheres by Andres Reinot

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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Click here for abridged post in LARGE PRINT.

Puzzle by C. W. Stewart, edited by Will Shortz

BALLS (38A. Word that can follow the starts of 17-, 21-, 58- and 64-Across and 3- and 40-Down) heads the inter-related entries of today’s crossword: BLACKTIE (17A. Fund-raiser wear, perhaps); BUTTERCUP (21A. Yellow flower); GUMERASER (58A. Artist’s smudge); HIGHNOON (64A. 1952 Gary Cooper western); MEATHEAD (3D. “All in the Family” nickname); and SOFTSOAP (40D. Cajole).

Seven-letter entries include BLATANT (33A. Lacking subtlety), CHARLES (18D. Son of Elizabeth II); ROPESIN (9A. Lures); STEPPER (43A. Fancy dancer); TELLSON (36D. Fingers); and TIERING (44D. Arranging in rows).

Six-letter: ALLFOR (50A. Completely behind) and AVERSE (26A. Not at all eager); AMULET (47D. Repeller of evil); DOMINO (48D. Pizza box logo); ELIXIR (63A. Cure-all) and FAKERS (4D. Quacks); LAPSES (34D. Breaks in concentration); LECHER (51D. Aqualung, e.g., in the 1971 Jethro Tull album); MINCED (11D. Like the contents of egg rolls); SECURE (12D. Nail down); SOVIET (15A. Bygone political council); SPENCE (19A. Superlawyer Gerry); TENANT (55A. Lucy or Ricky, to Fred and Ethel); TOOTLE (22D. Fife sound).

Five-letter: ALIBI (6D. Out); BASRA (30D. Iraqi port); BATHE (20A. Take a soak); BEGET (46D. Sire); COSTS (60A. Goes for); EBBED (28D. Fell off); EMOTE (52A. Play broadly); TONGS (69. Server’s tool); GRIPE (56D. Show dissatisfaction); LIEUT (7D. Fuzz of “Beetle Bailey,” e.g.: Abbr.); OVERT (10D. In the open); PROMS (8A. Some limo destinations); REHAB (55D. It might start with detox); STERE (25A. Metric volume measure); TEPEE (16D. Hide-covered abode);TEXAN (53D. Either President Bush).

Four-letter: APSE, ARTS, ATLI, BEAR, BIBB, CEDE, ESPY, FOAL, LORE, PSST, REAL, SNIP, TORE, UCLA.

Three-letter: ALP, ARC, ARI, BAD, BUM, DEE, ERG, EST, GSA, HAR, ICE, IDS, ITO, OBI, OTT, PEP, PRO, VEE, YER.

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Balls!

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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Across: 1. No-good; 4. Stable newborn; 13. Motel sign; 14. Chief Hun, in Scandinavian legend; 23. Guffaw syllable; 24. 1989 world champion skater; 32. Flesh-and-blood; 37. Turn over; 39. Catch sight of; 45. Stories like Washington chopping down the cherry tree; 45. No longer edible; 49. Photo badges and such; 67. Vaulted area, often; 68. N.L. West team, on scoreboards; 70. Put up with; 71. Vinegar, so to speak.
Down: 1. Lettuce variety; 2. Pac-10 sch. 5. Little Giant of the Giants; 8. “Hey, over here!”; 26. Rainbow, e.g.; 27. Winner’s sign; 35. Peak in Valais; 41. Whiz; 42. “So’s ___ mother!”; 59. Dance and drama; 61. Floored it; 62. Prune a bit; 65. Fed. Property agency.