You know those moments, right? Those challenging yet utterly satisfying instances when a
crossword clue
seems deceptively simple, then throws in a curveball that makes you pause, ponder, and finally, grin with understanding. Today, we’re dissecting one such linguistic gem: “Besides, with ‘from’.”
At first glance, “besides” feels straightforward. It’s a versatile word. As a preposition, it means “in addition to,” as in, “Besides the main course, we had three side dishes.” As an adverb, it means “moreover” or “furthermore,” as in, “I don’t want to go; besides, it’s too late.” Simple enough, right? But the beauty of a well-crafted
crossword clue
lies in its precision, and that’s where the crucial addition “with ‘from'” comes into play.
This isn’t just any general inquiry about “besides.” This specific
crossword clue
is pointing you towards a very particular construction, an idiomatic phrase where “besides” teams up with “from” to convey a distinct meaning. The “with ‘from'” isn’t just descriptive; it’s prescriptive. It’s a directional arrow, guiding your thoughts away from the broader definitions of “besides” and towards a precise, often fixed, expression.
Think about the implications of “from.” It’s a preposition of origin, source, or separation. When combined with “besides,” it creates a nuance that suggests a departure or distinction from something, often implying exclusion or difference. This kind of
crossword clue
taps into your knowledge of how words don’t just stand alone, but often form specific partnerships to create new shades of meaning.
Many English words can be followed by “from.” The challenge for this
crossword clue
is to identify the one that, when paired with “from,” encapsulates a meaning closely related to “besides” – perhaps in the sense of “other than,” “apart from,” or “in addition to but distinct from.” It demands a linguistic deep dive, moving beyond mere synonyms to consider phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions that are integral to everyday language.
These types of
crossword clues
are a fantastic test of one’s grasp of idiomatic English. It’s not just about knowing vocabulary; it’s about understanding the subtle ways words interact and combine to form fixed phrases that carry specific connotations. “Besides” itself can sometimes imply an exception or something external, and the “from” element serves to solidify that sense of distinctness or origin.
When you encounter a
crossword clue
structured like this, it’s a cue to consider common phrases that involve both the given word and the specified preposition. Brainstorming phrases that either begin or end with “from” and then checking if their overall meaning aligns with “besides” can be a fruitful strategy. Is it about something
different from
? Something
beyond
? Something
in addition to, but separate from
? The versatility of “from” in indicating source, cause, or even a point of view is key here.
The elegance of a carefully constructed
crossword clue
like “Besides, with ‘from'” lies in its ability to pare down a broad concept into a single, exact target. It forces you to delve deeper into the nuances of prepositions and their profound impact on meaning. It’s not simply a search for a synonym; it’s a contextual analysis, a linguistic puzzle that celebrates the precision of the English language.
So, the next time this particular
crossword clue
appears in your grid, remember that “with ‘from'” is your most important hint. It narrows the vast landscape of “besides” down to one very specific, very common idiom. It’s a testament to the economy of language that a simple preposition can so profoundly guide your solution to a satisfying “aha!” moment. Happy solving!
Available Answers:
APART ….
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: 0615-25 NY Times Crossword 15 Jun 25, Sunday