Hello, fellow word sleuths and puzzle adventurers!
There are some
crossword clues
that leap off the page, practically handing you the answer. Then there are others, the truly delightful ones, that make you pause, ponder, and perhaps even pace a little. Today, we’re diving into one such gem that certainly gave my grey matter a vigorous workout: “Counting device encountered hesitation (5).”
What a beauty, right? On the surface, it seems straightforward enough. We’re looking for a five-letter word. One half of the clue points us towards something that
counts
or
measures
. Immediately, your brain might start reeling off words like meter, timer, clock, tally. All perfectly valid contenders if that were the sole definition.
But then comes the second part: “encountered hesitation.” This is where the magic truly begins, and where many a
crossword solver
might find themselves temporarily stumped. “Hesitation” implies a pause, a stutter, a moment of indecision or a slight delay. How on earth does a ‘counting device’
hesitate
? Do they get stage fright? Do they have second thoughts about their numerical duties? This is where the brilliance of the
cryptic crossword clue
writer shines through, blending two seemingly disparate concepts into a single, elegant solution.
This isn’t just about finding a word; it’s about appreciating the linguistic craftsmanship involved in connecting a concrete object with an abstract action. It’s the kind of
daily crossword
challenge that reminds us why we love these puzzles so much – the way they force us to think laterally, to consider every nuance of language, and to look beyond the obvious. If you’ve been staring at this particular
crossword clue
and feeling that familiar mix of frustration and intrigue, you’re precisely where the setter wants you to be.
The trick, as always with these kinds of clues, is to consider all the angles. Is there a double meaning at play? A homophone perhaps? Or a clever way the words themselves combine to form an entirely new concept? We need to bridge the gap between ‘what counts’ and ‘what pauses’. It’s a delightful mental journey, peeling back the layers until that satisfying “aha!” moment arrives.
So, let’s explore this fantastic
crossword puzzle clue
together. Keep that five-letter constraint in mind, and let’s unravel the clever connection between a measurement tool and a moment of delay. Stick with me, and we’ll break down the thought process to arrive at that perfectly formed, wonderfully witty answer – without giving it away just yet, of course!
Available Answers:
METER.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 6 September 2025