Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 29 February 2024, Thursday (02-29-24). Find all answers and solutions here.
We've also tries to explain why the answer is the correct solution for each clue.
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Clues and answers
Clues followed by answers and an explanation underneath.
: HORNBILL
In crossword puzzles, "/" is often used to indicate division or separation. The word "per" is commonly used to signify "for each" or "by the means of," which fits the context of the clue. Therefore, "PER" is the right solution for the clue represented by "/".
Achieve widespread recognition : ARRIVE
"Arrive" can mean to achieve a goal or success, which can result in widespread recognition.
Actress Anne of “Wag the Dog” : HECHE
Anne Heche is an actress who appeared in the movie "Wag the Dog," making "HECHE" the correct answer for the clue.
Asymmetrical crustacean : FIDDLER CRAB
The answer "FIDDLER CRAB" fits because fiddler crabs have one claw that is much larger than the other, making them asymmetrical.
Attire for a toddler : ONESIE
The answer "ONESIE" is the right solution because a onesie is a one-piece garment that is commonly worn by toddlers for easy dressing and comfort.
Baseball stat : RBI
The answer "RBI" stands for "Runs Batted In," which is a common baseball statistic that measures how many runs a player has batted in with hits or outs.
Big name in trucks : GMC
GMC is a well-known brand that produces trucks, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Big name in trucks."
Boldly stylish, in slang : FIERCE
"FIERCE" is the right solution because in slang, it is often used to describe something as bold, stylish, and confident. It is a popular term in fashion and pop culture to convey a strong and impressive sense of style or attitude.
Calls for delivery : ORDERS
"ORDERS" is the right answer because in the context of the clue "Calls for delivery," the word "calls" can mean placing an order for something to be delivered.
Certain racing wear : SPEEDO
The answer "SPEEDO" is the right solution because it is a type of tight-fitting swimsuit often worn by competitive swimmers, which can be considered a type of racing wear.
Coated with gold : GILT
"GILT" means coated with gold, often used in the context of a decorative finish.
Comics sound : BAM!
The answer "BAM!" is commonly used in comics to represent a loud sound or impact. It is an onomatopoeia that mimics the sound of a sudden hit or collision.
Cotton material : MUSLIN
"MUSLIN" is a type of cotton fabric that is soft, lightweight, and breathable, making it a popular choice for clothing and bedding.
Creature whose scientific name translates to “ice-lover from Greenland” : HARP SEAL
The scientific name for a harp seal is "Pagophilus groenlandicus," which translates to "ice-lover from Greenland." This makes "HARP SEAL" the correct answer to the clue.
Energizing snack : POWER BAR
The answer "POWER BAR" fits the clue "Energizing snack" because a power bar is a type of snack that is specifically designed to provide a quick boost of energy due to its high protein and carbohydrate content.
Game island represented by hexagonal tiles : CATAN
The answer is "CATAN" because the game island represented by hexagonal tiles is the fictional island of Catan in the popular board game "The Settlers of Catan."
Ingredient in some batter : BEER
The answer "BEER" fits the clue because beer is a common ingredient in batter for dishes like beer-battered fish or onion rings.
Jhumpa ___, Pulitzer-winning author of “Interpreter of Maladies” : LAHIRI
The answer is "LAHIRI" because Jhumpa Lahiri is the Pulitzer-winning author of "Interpreter of Maladies."
Like a final, desperate attempt : DO-OR-DIE
"DO-OR-DIE" is the right solution because it means something that is crucial and must be done, often as a final, desperate attempt.
Like a planet’s path : ORBITAL
The term "orbital" is commonly used to describe the path that a planet follows as it revolves around a star, such as the sun. The answer "ORBITAL" fits the clue "Like a planet’s path" because it directly relates to the circular or elliptical path that a planet takes in its orbit.
Like many tournaments : SEEDED
"SEEDED" is the right answer because in many tournaments, players or teams are "seeded" or ranked based on their previous performance or skill level.
Line just above “total,” maybe : TIP
The answer is "TIP" because a tip is a gratuity added to a bill, often listed as a separate line just above the total.
List on display at the airport : ETAS
The answer "ETAS" stands for Estimated Times of Arrival, which is a list displayed at airports showing when flights are expected to arrive.
Make bubbly : AERATE
"AERATE" is the right solution because to make something bubbly, you would introduce air or gas into it, which is what aeration does - it adds air or gas to create bubbles.
Measure of print quality : Abbr.
The answer is "DPI," which stands for "dots per inch." DPI is a common measure of print quality, indicating how many dots of ink are printed in a one-inch square area. The abbreviation "Abbr." in the clue indicates that the answer should be an abbreviation.
Mideast site of conflict : GAZA
The answer "GAZA" fits the clue "Mideast site of conflict" because Gaza is a region in the Middle East that has been a frequent site of conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Mideast spice blend : ZA’ATAR
"ZA'ATAR" is a Middle Eastern spice blend made from dried herbs like thyme, oregano, and marjoram, mixed with sesame seeds and sumac. It is commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine to add flavor to dishes.
Mistakes in baseball … or what 18-, 24-, 34- and 51- might produce? : WILD PITCHES
The answer "WILD PITCHES" fits the clue because it refers to mistakes in baseball where a pitcher throws the ball inaccurately, leading to the ball going past the catcher. The numbers 18, 24, 34, and 51 refer to the letters in the answer, indicating that those letters are "wildly pitched" throughout the clue.
More quickly? : ETC
Most common vowel sounds in English : SCHWAS
"Schwa" refers to the most common vowel sound in English, which is the neutral vowel sound often represented by the symbol ə. This sound is found in unstressed syllables and is very common in the English language. "Schwas" is the plural form of "schwa."
North America’s heaviest flying bird : TRUMPETER SWAN
The Trumpeter Swan is the right answer because it is the heaviest flying bird in North America, weighing up to 30 pounds.
Once again : ANEW
"I repeat" is a common phrase used to indicate that something is being said or done again. The answer "IREPEAT" is a play on this phrase, as the letters "I" and "R" can be read as "I" and "repeat".
Overrun : INFEST
The word "infest" is a synonym for "overrun," meaning to spread or occupy in large numbers, typically in a harmful or undesirable way.
Pastries usually accompanied by chutney : SAMOSAS
The answer "SAMOSAS" fits the clue because samosas are a type of pastry that is commonly served with chutney, making it a fitting answer.
Pause to play? : RECESS
The clue "Pause to play?" is a play on words, suggesting a break from playing. A recess is a break or pause in activities, making it the right answer.
Place for soap? : MELROSE
Place for three men of verse : IN A TUB
unknown
Popular song : HIT
The answer "HIT" fits the clue "Popular song" because a hit song is a song that is widely popular and successful.
Pulitzer-winning author who was also a film critic for Time magazine : AGEE
Reason to take a back road, maybe : SCENERY
The answer "SCENERY" fits the clue because taking a back road often offers better views of the surrounding landscape or scenery.
Renounce : ABDICATE
The answer "WAIVE" is the right solution to the clue "Renounce" because "waiving" something means to voluntarily give up or abandon a right, claim, or privilege.
Response to a baby animal picture : AWW!
The answer "AWW!" is commonly used to express a reaction to something cute or endearing, like a baby animal picture. It is a simple and common response that fits the clue well.
Romantic infatuation : CRUSH
"CRUSH" is the right answer because it is a common term used to describe romantic infatuation or a strong attraction towards someone. It fits the clue perfectly.
Rumpus : ADO
"ADO" is a synonym for "rumpus" or commotion, making it the correct answer to the clue.
Running shoe brand : AVIA
AVIA is a well-known brand that specializes in running shoes, making it a fitting answer to the clue "Running shoe brand."
Safari pest : TSETSE
The answer "TSETSE" is the right solution because tsetse flies are known to be pests in safari areas, as they feed on the blood of vertebrate animals, including humans.
Salt, at times : DEICER
The answer "DEICER" fits the clue "Salt, at times" because deicer is a substance used to melt ice, similar to how salt can be used to melt ice on roads and sidewalks.
Sch. that once used a live bear as a mascot during football games : UCLA
UCLA stands for the University of California, Los Angeles, which once used a live bear as a mascot during football games.
Series of courses : MEAL
Sightings of them can be reported on the Enigma app : UFOS
The answer "UFOS" fits because sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) can be reported on the Enigma app.
State capital once home to Herman Melville : ALBANY
ALBANY is the correct answer because Albany is the capital of New York, and Herman Melville, the author of "Moby-Dick," lived in Albany for a period of time.
Store posting : Abbr.
The answer "Abbr." is short for abbreviation, often used in store postings to convey information concisely.
Stuck the landing : NAILED IT
The phrase "nailed it" is commonly used to describe someone who successfully completes a task or achieves a goal with great skill and precision, which is similar to the idea of "stuck the landing" in gymnastics or other sports where a successful landing is crucial.
Swiss river : AARE
The Aare is a major river in Switzerland, flowing through cities like Bern and Aarau. It is a common crossword answer for "Swiss river" due to its significance in the country.
Telegraph, say : SEND
The word "send" can be a synonym for "telegraph" in the sense of transmitting a message over a distance, making it the right solution.
Testify : DEPOSE
"Depose" is the right answer because it means to give evidence or testimony under oath in a legal proceeding, which is synonymous with "testify."
That : Sp.
Time for Paris’s 2024 Jeux Olympiques : ETE Down 1 Where many bags of leaves can be found
The answer "ETE" is the right solution for "Time for Paris’s 2024 Jeux Olympiques" because "ETE" is the French word for "summer," and the 2024 Olympics in Paris are scheduled for the summer. For the clue "Where many bags of leaves can be found," the answer is "YARD" because leaves are often raked and collected in bags in a yard.
Trees in the birch family : ALDERS
Unlucky accident : MISHAP
"MISHAP" is the right solution because it is a common term used to describe an unlucky accident or misfortune.
What the 1660s Pascaline machine, named for Blaise Pascal, could do : ADD
The Pascaline machine invented by Blaise Pascal in the 1660s was a mechanical calculator that could perform addition.
___ anglais (English horn) : COR
COR is the abbreviation for cor anglais, which is another term for the English horn in music.
___ discount : AT A
The phrase "at a discount" means something is being sold for less than its usual price. In this context, "at a" is the correct answer.
___ jokes : DAD
"DAD jokes" are a type of corny, often pun-based humor associated with fathers. The answer "DAD" fits the clue because it directly references this specific type of humor.
___ mater (brain cover) : PIA
The brain cover consists of three layers: the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. "Pia" is the correct answer because it completes the term "pia mater," which is the innermost layer of the brain cover.
___ wave : TIDAL
The term "tidal wave" refers to a type of ocean wave caused by the gravitational forces of the moon and sun. This answer fits the clue "___ wave" perfectly.
“Beats me” : NO IDEA
The phrase "Beats me" is often used to express not knowing or having no idea about something. Therefore, "NO IDEA" is the right answer as it captures the meaning of the clue accurately.
“Cross my heart!” : I SWEAR IT!
The answer "I SWEAR IT!" fits the clue "Cross my heart!" because it is a common phrase used to emphasize the truthfulness or sincerity of a statement. The phrase "I swear it!" is often used to assure someone that what is being said is true.
“Nothing doing” : NO DICE
The answer "IN IDLE" is the right solution because "nothing-doing" is a phrase that means being inactive or not doing anything. "IN" indicates being in a particular state, and "IDLE" means not engaged in any activity. Therefore, "IN IDLE" accurately captures the meaning of "nothing-doing."
“___ better to have loved and lost …” : ‘TIS
The phrase "‘TIS better to have loved and lost …" is a famous quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson. In this context, "‘TIS" is a contraction of "it is," which fits perfectly in the sentence structure.