Decoding the Cryptic: A Deep Dive into ‘Figure Embraced by Girl, One Feels (7)’
Welcome, fellow crossword enthusiasts, to another expedition into the fascinating world of cryptic clues! Today, we’re tackling a particularly intriguing puzzle: ‘Figure embraced by girl, one feels (7)‘. This clue is a masterclass in misdirection, a subtle dance between surface reading and hidden meaning. Get ready to engage your lateral thinking muscles, because this one requires a touch of linguistic agility and a dash of creative interpretation.
At first glance, the clue paints a vivid image: a ‘figure’ enveloped by a ‘girl’. Our brains are primed to visualize a literal scene, perhaps a statue being hugged, or a child nestled against someone. That’s the trap! Cryptic clues thrive on playing with our initial assumptions, luring us down the garden path before revealing the true solution lurking beneath.
The key to unlocking this puzzle lies in dissecting each component and recognizing the potential for double meanings. Let’s begin with ‘figure’. While it could refer to a person, a shape, or a number, in the context of a cryptic crossword, it often signals an anagram or a hidden word. Consider if ‘figure’ might not be literal, but instead pointing towards a manipulation of letters within the clue itself.
Next, we have ’embraced by girl’. The word ’embraced’ is crucial here. It suggests containment, something being held within something else. Could ‘girl’ be acting as a container, its letters surrounding a hidden word or phrase related to ‘figure’? Explore synonyms for ‘girl’ – lass, maiden, female – and consider how they might be used to construct a solution. Remember, cryptic clues are often delightfully devious!
The final piece of the puzzle is ‘one feels’. This is where the emotional or experiential element enters the equation. ‘Feels’ implies a sensation, an emotion, or a perception. The phrase ‘one feels’ acts as a definition – the seven-letter word we seek is something that
one feels
. Think about feelings – happiness, sadness, anger, fear – and consider if any of those emotions, or words associated with them, might fit within the parameters established by the first two parts of the clue.
Notice the length indicator ‘(7)’ at the end of the clue. This tells us that the answer we are searching for is a seven-letter word. This is an invaluable piece of information, narrowing down the possibilities and helping us to focus our search. Always keep the length indicator in mind as you work through the clue – it’s your constant guide in the labyrinth of wordplay.
Now, let’s put it all together. We need a seven-letter word that represents something “one feels.” This word is constructed by a ‘figure’ (perhaps manipulated in some way) being ’embraced by’ (contained within) a synonym for ‘girl’. The beauty of cryptic crosswords is that there’s often more than one way to arrive at the correct solution. Consider all the possible interpretations and let your imagination run wild! Don’t be afraid to try different combinations and explore unconventional angles. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at recognizing the subtle nuances of cryptic clue construction. Happy puzzling!
Available Answers:
ANTENNA.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Monday, 15 September 2025