There’s nothing quite like the start of a new day, a fresh cup of coffee, and a brand-new crossword grid waiting to be conquered. Each square a promise, each blank a challenge, and every single
crossword clue
a tantalizing invitation to some glorious wordplay. We veteran solvers live for that moment of revelation, that sudden flash of insight when a particularly stubborn
crossword clue
finally yields its hidden meaning. It’s a mental workout, a delightful dance between logic and linguistics, and frankly, it’s addictive.
Today, friends, we’re diving headfirst into one of those delicious brain-teasers that really makes you sit up and take notice. It’s a five-letter marvel that, at first glance, might seem fairly straightforward, but quickly unravels into a fascinating labyrinth of possibilities. The
crossword clue
in question is: “Gathers concerning a footnote (5)“.
Just reading it aloud, you can feel the gears starting to turn, can’t you? “Gathers concerning a footnote (5).” Five letters. That’s our first, crucial piece of information. A tightly packed space for a concept that feels like it could sprawl. It immediately narrows down our lexical search, forcing us to think concisely. This isn’t a sprawling 15-letter epic; it’s a compact, potent package, characteristic of some of the best
crossword clues
out there.
Let’s unpack this fantastic
crossword clue
a little, shall we? We’ve got “Gathers,” a verb that speaks of collection, assemblage, bringing things together. It could be literal, or it could be a more abstract form of accumulating. Are we gathering facts? People? Lint? The ambiguity is precisely what makes crosswords so captivating. Then there’s “concerning.” This word acts as a bridge, a preposition, suggesting “about” or “relating to.” But in the cryptic world of
crossword clues
, words like “concerning” can often be indicators, signals that something is being placed around something else, or that one part of the clue relates to another in a specific, perhaps non-obvious, way. Is it a connector, or is it part of the wordplay mechanism itself? That’s the beautiful enigma of this
crossword clue
.
And finally, “a footnote.” Oh, “a footnote.” This element feels incredibly rich with potential. What is a footnote? It’s typically supplementary information, an explanatory note at the bottom of a page, often marked by a tiny number or symbol. It
refers
to something in the main text. It
explains
or
elaborates
. It
adds
detail. The very nature of a footnote is to provide additional context, to clarify, or to cite a source. Is the
crossword clue
asking us to think about the
action
of a footnote, or perhaps what a footnote
contains
, or even where it’s
located
? The brilliance of a well-crafted
crossword clue
lies in its ability to present an everyday concept in a way that forces you to re-evaluate its fundamental essence.
When faced with a
crossword clue
like this, one often starts by dissecting each component. “Gathers” could lead us down a path of synonyms like collects, accumulates, compiles, or even herds. “Concerning” points to possibilities involving ‘re’ or ‘about’. And “footnote” opens up a whole academic library of associated ideas: reference, explanation, addendum, endnote, annotation. But the magic happens when these seemingly disparate parts coalesce into a single, elegant five-letter word. It’s about finding that sweet spot where the definition, the wordplay, and the letter count all align perfectly.
This particular
crossword clue
is a prime example of why we keep coming back for more. It challenges us to look beyond the obvious, to embrace the delightful ambiguities, and to truly understand the spirit of the words. It’s not just about filling in blanks; it’s about decoding a miniature poem, a verbal riddle wrapped in a linguistic mystery. The satisfaction of cracking such a
crossword clue
is immense, a little triumph that brightens the whole day. So, take a moment with “Gathers concerning a footnote (5).” Let it marinate. Think about how those pieces might interlock. The answer, when it comes, is wonderfully apt, a testament to the cleverness of the puzzle setter and the joy of the daily crossword challenge.
Available Answers:
REAPS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 15 October 2025