
QuickLinks:
Solution to today's crossword in the New York Times
Solution to today's SYNDICATED New York Times crossword in all other publications
CROSSWORD SETTER: Steven E. Atwood
THEME: AFFIX onto Word Stems … each of the theme answers is combination of two words, with the word stem overlapping. The first part of the clue indicates a prefix with the word stem, and the second the word stem with a suffix. The result is an invented portmanteau word:
1A. Add-on to the start or end of a word stem (as in 17-, 25-, 35-, 49- and 57-Across) : AFFIXCOMPLETION TIME: 19m 23s
17A. Unnecessary words cluttering wise sayings? : PRO(VERB)IAGE
25A. Threat in "Armageddon"? : DIS(ASTER)OID
35A. Good place for a picnic? : RE(PAST)URE
49A. Like a tenacious sibling? : PER(SIST)ERLY
57A. "We've taken the city, but can we defend it?"? : CON(QUEST)ION
ANSWERS I MISSED: 3 … PHOEBES (thoebes!), SAO (Cao!), APPEASE (at peace).







