Welcome, fellow word sleuths, to another intriguing journey into the captivating world of crossword puzzles! Today, we’re shining a spotlight on a particularly clever and satisfying
crossword clue
that, at first glance, might seem deceptively simple:
“Grassy expanse within ‘clearing'”
This kind of
crossword clue
is a fantastic example of how compilers can hide plain sight answers, testing our observation skills more than our vocabulary. When you encounter a
crossword clue
with a structure like this, featuring a definition paired with a phrase like “within,” “part of,” “some of,” or “contains,” it’s often a strong hint that you’re dealing with what’s known as a ‘hidden word’ or ’embedded word’ clue.
The beauty of a hidden word
crossword clue
lies in its elegance. The answer isn’t something you need to deduce from an anagram or a complex cryptic instruction; instead, it’s literally nestled inside the very words provided in the clue itself. Your task, then, is to carefully scan the letters of the “container” phrase to spot the sequence that matches the definition.
Let’s break down our featured
crossword clue
. The first part, “Grassy expanse,” provides the definition. This tells us what kind of word we’re looking for – something that means a wide, open, green area. This is your target meaning.
Now, turn your attention to the second part: “within ‘clearing'”. The word “within” is the giveaway here. It’s practically shouting, “Look inside me!” And importantly, notice the single quotes around ‘clearing’. In many crossword puzzles, especially those leaning towards the cryptic or wordplay side, punctuation can be a vital component of the clue. Single quotes around a word or phrase in a
crossword clue
often serve to isolate it, indicating that it’s to be taken literally, perhaps as a direct component of the wordplay rather than just part of a phrase. In the context of a “hidden word”
crossword clue
, these quotes reinforce that the letters you need are precisely contained within those specific characters.
So, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find a sequence of consecutive letters that form a word meaning a “grassy expanse,” and that sequence must be found strictly
inside
the letters of the word ‘clearing’. It’s not about rearranging letters; it’s about identifying a substring.
These types of
crossword clue
are incredibly satisfying to solve because once you see the hidden word, it feels so obvious! It’s a wonderful ‘aha!’ moment that showcases the compiler’s wit and your own powers of perception. They teach us to look beyond the immediate surface meaning and to appreciate the literal construction of the words in the clue.
Next time you’re stuck on a
crossword clue
and you see those tell-tale indicators like “within,” remember to shift your focus. Don’t think about synonyms or elaborate wordplay immediately. Instead, grab your pencil and start tracing potential answers within the letters provided. It’s a fundamental technique for any aspiring or seasoned crossword enthusiast. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be spotting these hidden gems in every puzzle!
Available Answers:
LEA.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Universal Crossword – Universal Freestyle 183 By Zachary Edward-Brown