05.15.09 -- INK

Mara gang member Jose Daniel Galindo — aka 22 ‘Criminal — prison portrait in Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Photo AP / Rodrigo Abd

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Friday, May 15, 2009

Puzzle by Xan Vongsathorn, edited by Will Shortz

TEMPORARY TATTOO (17A. Fun application) and DISAPPEARING INK (56A. Means of secret writing … or a description of a 17-Across?) are the featured entries of this elusive Friday crossword.

Eight-letter entries include ALL AT SEA (36D. Hopelessly confuddled); ALTER EGO (51A. Captain Marvel, to Billy Batson); ANTI-NUKE (11D. Protesting the pro-testers?); COONSKIN (12D. Kind of cap with a tail); GAS MAINS (21A. Subterranean lines); PLOT LINE (35D. Stripped-down story); SALSA DIP (34D. Party dishful); TWO-STEPS (13D. Some ballroom dances).

Seven-letter -- ASIMMER (49A. Barely boiling); AUSTERE (22A. Bare-bones); MDCLXVI (40A. The annus of Dryden’s “Annus Mirabilis”), RENTALS (27A. Beach houses, often); TEA COZY (32A. Pot cover) and TEEHEES (43A. Giggles).

Six -- AZALEA (29D. Garden shrub); BERNIE (45D. Late comedian Mac); BROKER (46D. Stock figure); EMPIRE (44D. Result of many conquests, perhaps); ENCODE (24D. Secure in a way); ICE RUN (2D. Annual river thaw); LAMEST (3D. Like the worst of excuses); LYNXES (30D. Largish animals with black ear tufts); READ ME (23D. Computer instructions heading); SIT PAT (1D. Be content with where one is), a cousin of ST PAT?

Five -- AS ONE (15A. Harmoniously); JUBAL (5A. Confederate general Early); CASTE (63A. Nobles and knights in the Middle Ages, e.g.); DORAN (37A. Ann of “Rebel Without a Cause”); ERNST (25A. “Ubu Imperator” artist, 1923); F-STAR (10D. Canopus or Polaris); GO PRO (55A. Hit the big leagues); IN FOR (60A. Soon to experience); LEAST (48D. Minimal); 50D. MOGEN David (six-pointed star); ON POT (4D. High, in a way); 18D. OPERE citato; PRE-OP (20A. Before making the cut?); STALE (47A. Stuffy, as air); TORCH (28D. Image on a dime); V-SIGN (41D. Winning move?).

Short stuff -- ALLY, AMES, ANYA, BORG, EBB, EPIC, ERIE, FACT, GENA, ICAN, INES (59A. Supermodel Sastre), IRE, JAR, KENS, LETS, LOL, NEER, OAFS, PEAT, ROT, SILO, SKI and SKIP, SNOW, SPAR, TERP, TNT, TRY, UKE, USA.

Forever ink, anyone?

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Tower that’s typically scaled from the outside; 10. Concern for a checker; 14. Confident assertion; 16. Cap material?; 26. Boom producer; 31. “Tip-Toe Thru’ the Tulips With Me” instrument; 34. Argue (with); 38. Some dolls; 39. Get together (with); 42. Response to an e-mailed joke, maybe; 44. Dwindle; 61. Lake bordering four states; 62. Three- ___; 64. Start to do well? Down: 5. It holds the mayo; 6. ___ Patriot Act (2001 measure); 7. Wimbledon champ, 1976-80; 7. “Dragonwyck” author Seton; 9. Do-overs; 19. C.I.A. betrayer arrested in 1994; 32. Go for it; 33. Biathlon need; 43. Maryland player, informally; 52. “Beowulf,” for one; 53. Rowlands of “Gloria”; 54. Lubbers; 57. Hokum; 58. Steam.