There are those days when the morning routine feels incomplete without the satisfying thud of the newspaper hitting the porch, or the familiar click of a digital puzzle loading on screen. For many of us, the heart of that routine lies in the daily crossword, a delightful dance of words, wit, and unexpected connections. Each box waiting to be filled represents a small victory, a moment of insight, or sometimes, a delightful linguistic trap.
Today, we’re zeroing in on a particular
crossword clue
that captures the essence of what makes these puzzles so engaging: “Looked after, cared for (a patient) (6)“. At first glance, it seems straightforward. Two strong synonyms, “looked after” and “cared for,” point us directly to a definition. But the parenthetical qualifier, “(a patient),” subtly shifts the landscape, demanding a more precise and context-specific solution. This isn’t just about general care; it’s about the very particular act of tending to someone under medical supervision.
The beauty of a well-crafted
crossword clue
like this lies in its ability to guide you without giving too much away. The initial synonyms might lead to a wide array of possibilities – “tended,” “nursed,” “guarded,” “minded,” “watched.” But then comes the crucial narrowing down: “(a patient).” This immediately filters out terms that apply more broadly, like caring for a pet or a garden, and brings us squarely into the realm of healthcare. It forces us to consider vocabulary commonly associated with medical or caregiving roles.
And then, of course, there’s the ever-present digit: “(6)”. This seemingly small number is a massive filter. It eliminates all the five-letter words we might have conjured, and all the seven-letter ones. Suddenly, that vast ocean of potential synonyms shrinks down to a much more manageable pool. The six-letter constraint often leads to surprisingly common words that, once revealed, make you wonder why they weren’t immediately obvious. It’s the perfect blend of definition, context, and length that truly tests your lexical agility.
The process of solving such a
crossword clue
often involves a mental sprint through various suffixes and prefixes. Are we looking for something ending in -ed? Or perhaps a present tense verb that can also function as an adjective? The past participle “looked after” and “cared for” strongly suggest a past tense form, or a word that functions similarly. It’s about finding that singular word that encapsulates both meanings and fits perfectly into the specified length, all while adhering to the very specific context of patient care.
These are the moments that make crossword solving so addictive. That brief pause, the mental inventory of synonyms, the subtle recognition of the contextual hint, and then the satisfying click as the right word slots into place. It’s a mini-triumph, a small testament to the power of language and the way our minds connect seemingly disparate ideas. Every successful fill strengthens the grid, pushing us closer to that ultimate completion, that perfect black and white mosaic.
So, for this particular
crossword clue
, take a moment. Let the words “looked after, cared for (a patient)” resonate. Consider the length. And feel the satisfaction as you pinpoint that precise, six-letter term that perfectly encapsulates the meaning. It’s these specific challenges that keep us coming back, day after day, pen in hand, ready for the next linguistic adventure.
Available Answers:
NURSED.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: –Metro Quick Crossword Clues Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Metro Quick Crossword Clues Monday, 21 July 2025