Crosswordese, explained.
Words that show up in grids more often than conversation—plus their meaning, pronunciation, and recurring clue patterns.
SPECA specification: a precise requirement or design detail for a job, product, or project.SASEA self-addressed stamped envelope, enclosed so a recipient can mail something back without paying postage.EPEEA thrusting sword used in fencing, and the fencing discipline that uses it.ANOAA small wild buffalo native to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.ANTEA stake placed into a poker pot before cards are dealt.ENEEast-northeast, the compass direction halfway between east and northeast.IOTAAn extremely small amount; also the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet.EMUA large flightless bird native to Australia.INTELUseful information or intelligence, especially information that is private, strategic, or newly obtained.OUTTAA nonstandard spelling of the spoken phrase “out of.”NOELSChristmas songs or carols; the plural of noel in its song sense.DETERSDiscourages or prevents someone from doing something, usually by making the action seem risky, difficult, or unpleasant.NATLA compact written abbreviation for “national,” normally used where space is limited.BITEMEA rude or defiant retort roughly meaning “go away,” “leave me alone,” or “I reject what you just said.”GSIXThe letters-only crossword rendering of “G6,” an informal name associated with a high-end Gulfstream private jet.OBITA shortened form of “obituary,” a notice or article reporting a person’s death and summarizing the person’s life.ELOA rating system used to estimate the relative strength of chess players, named for its creator Arpad Elo.MILIEUA person’s social, cultural, or physical environment; the surroundings in which someone or something exists.BRINEA concentrated salt-and-water solution used to pickle, preserve, or season food.UNTOAn archaic or elevated preposition meaning “to,” especially familiar from biblical translations and traditional sayings.UNSEETo erase or undo the memory of something seen, most often used negatively in the phrase “can’t unsee.”SKORTA garment combining the appearance of a skirt with built-in or concealed shorts.BURIESTHELEDEHides or delays the most important information instead of presenting it at the beginning.ERSWritten representations of hesitant filler sounds made while a speaker pauses to think.