Welcome back, fellow word sleuths, to another dive into the captivating world of cryptic crosswords! Today, we’re tackling a particularly intriguing entry that might have you scratching your head and staring blankly at your daily crossword puzzle: “Piece of wood group of nine lifted (5)“. This is precisely the kind of challenging crossword clue that makes cryptic puzzles so rewarding when you finally crack them.
At first glance, this five-letter word clue presents a classic cryptic challenge, blending a straightforward definition with some clever wordplay. Our immediate goal, as with any cryptic crossword clue, is to dissect it into its constituent parts: the definition and the wordplay. The “(5)” tells us the length of our target word, a vital piece of information that helps narrow down possibilities significantly.
Let’s begin with what appears to be our likely definition: “Piece of wood”. This is fairly concrete. When you think of a “piece of wood,” your mind might conjure images of planks, logs, or perhaps specific components used in carpentry. This part of the clue acts as our anchor, giving us a category to search within. It’s crucial not to jump to conclusions here, as sometimes definitions can be deceptively simple or subtly metaphorical in a cryptic crossword. However, in many cases, especially for common objects, the definition is quite literal, providing a solid starting point for solving crosswords.
Now, for the fun part – the wordplay: “group of nine lifted”. This is where the magic of cryptic crosswords truly unfolds. The word “lifted” immediately signals a common cryptic device. In the lexicon of crossword solving, “lifted” is a well-known indicator for an anagram. When you see a word like “lifted,” “stirred,” “broken,” “confused,” or “arranged,” it’s often a clue that some letters need to be rearranged to form the solution. So, our task is to figure out
what
letters are being “lifted” or anagrammed.
This brings us to “group of nine.” This phrase is the true cunning of this particular crossword clue. It’s not simply asking you to anagram the letters G-R-O-U-P-O-F-N-I-N-E – that would be far too many letters for a five-letter answer! Instead, “group of nine” is a cryptic definition in itself, pointing towards a very specific word that
means
“a group of nine.” Once you identify that specific word,
then
you apply the “lifted” instruction to its letters. The result of that anagram should be a five-letter word that fits our “Piece of wood” definition.
This layered approach is typical of more advanced cryptic crossword challenges. You’re not just solving one puzzle; you’re solving a mini-puzzle to get the fodder for the main puzzle. It requires both a good vocabulary for recognizing the “group of nine” synonym and a keen eye for anagrams. Such intricate word puzzles are what make the daily crossword such an engaging mental exercise.
Solving crosswords like this one really hones your linguistic and logical skills. It’s about breaking down complex phrases, understanding the subtle nudges of cryptic indicators, and then carefully piecing everything back together. When you identify the “group of nine” word, apply the “lifted” anagram, and find a perfect match for “piece of wood” in just five letters, that sense of accomplishment is unparalleled. It’s the ultimate reward for tackling a challenging crossword clue.
So, take a moment. Ponder the “group of nine.” Think about what that single word is. Then, think about how those letters can be rearranged to form a “piece of wood.” This cryptic challenge is a masterclass in elegant clue construction, proving why these word puzzles continue to captivate solvers worldwide. Keep at it, and you’ll find the elegant solution to this satisfying crossword clue in no time! Happy solving!
Available Answers:
TENON.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 17 October 2025