Welcome back, fellow word sleuths and puzzle aficionados! Today, we’re diving deep into a truly fascinating
crossword clue
that recently crossed my path and proved to be a delightful brain-teaser. These are the kinds of cryptic challenges that make solving
crossword puzzles
so incredibly rewarding, pushing us to think outside the box and truly appreciate the genius behind their construction.
The
crossword clue
in question is: “Enforced the law keeping parasites in herd (7)“.
Right off the bat, this clue presents a rich tapestry of possibilities. Seven letters – that’s our length constraint, a crucial piece of information for any
crossword solver
. But it’s the combination of the seemingly disparate phrases that truly makes this a standout example of a great
cryptic crossword clue
.
Let’s break it down, as we always do when tackling a tough
crossword clue
. First, we have “Enforced the law.” This is very likely our definition. When you hear “enforced the law,” what kind of words spring to mind? Governed, policed, regulated, decreed, commanded, enacted? There’s a whole lexical field to explore here. We’re looking for a seven-letter word that encapsulates the idea of ensuring rules or legislation are followed. This part of the
crossword clue
grounds us in a concrete concept, even if the word itself might be elusive at first glance.
Now, for the more whimsical, cryptic side of the
crossword clue
: “keeping parasites in herd.” This is where the true magic of
solving crosswords
often lies. The imagery here is vivid, almost pastoral, yet with a hint of something unwelcome. “Parasites” and “herd” are two distinct nouns, and their arrangement with “keeping… in” strongly suggests a container-style clue. In the world of
cryptic crossword clues
, “keeping… in” or “inside,” “within,” “holding,” etc., are often signposts indicating that one part of the wordplay is literally
contained
within another.
So, for this part of the
crossword clue
, we’re likely searching for a word that means “parasites” placed
inside
a word that means “herd.” Think about common parasites – what single words represent them? And then consider “herd.” What kind of animals form a herd? What are synonyms for a group of animals? The challenge is to find specific, often shorter, words for these concepts that can be nestled together to form a larger word. It’s a delightful miniature puzzle within the broader
crossword clue
.
The brilliance of this particular
crossword clue
is in how it marries the formal, legalistic definition with the almost biological, agricultural wordplay. To truly crack this
crossword puzzle
, you need to find a seven-letter word where the definition (“Enforced the law”) perfectly aligns with the outcome of the cryptic construction (“parasites in herd”). It requires both a strong vocabulary for the definition and a keen eye for word manipulation in the cryptic element.
When you’re faced with a
crossword clue
like this, a good strategy is to brainstorm synonyms for the definition, keeping the letter count in mind. Then, independently, try to visualize the cryptic part. What are specific examples of parasites? What are specific words for herds? Can any of those fit together to form a longer word? Once you have some candidates from both sides, try to see where they intersect. Does one of your “enforced the law” words suddenly make perfect sense when you consider the “parasites in herd” construction?
This is why we love
crossword puzzles
so much – they’re not just about knowing words, but about understanding how language can be stretched, twisted, and combined in ingenious ways. This specific
crossword clue
is an excellent example of a fair yet challenging cryptic, offering just enough guidance without giving anything away too easily. It’s a real treat for anyone who enjoys the intellectual gymnastics of
solving crosswords
.
What were your initial thoughts on this
crossword clue
? Did the definition or the cryptic part jump out at you first? Share your experiences with this kind of
crossword help
in the comments below! Keep those brains ticking and happy solving!
Available Answers:
POLICED.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 2 December 2025