Oh, the thrill (and occasional terror!) of a perfectly crafted
crossword clue
! There are those days when the answers just flow, letters clicking into place with satisfying precision. And then there are days when a seemingly innocuous phrase stops you dead in your tracks, demanding a deeper dive into the labyrinth of language. Today, we’re taking on one such linguistic challenge that popped up in a recent grid: ‘On the authority of‘.
At first glance, this
crossword clue
seems straightforward enough. We all understand the general concept of authority – power, right to command, source of information. But when presented as a
crossword clue
, especially one expecting a concise, often single-word answer, the layers begin to unfold. This isn’t merely asking for a synonym for ‘authority’ itself. It’s asking for a word or phrase that encapsulates the
act
of relying on or referencing that authority.
Consider the various contexts in which you might use the phrase ‘On the authority of‘. Is it a legal pronouncement? A scientific finding? A historical citation? Each scenario nudges the
crossword clue
in a slightly different semantic direction, making the quest for the precise answer a fascinating exercise in lexical precision. A good
crossword clue
like this one often plays on these subtle distinctions, testing not just your vocabulary but your understanding of idiomatic expression and formal versus informal usage.
The beauty of a well-designed
crossword puzzle
lies in its ability to take an everyday phrase and turn it into a brain-tickling enigma. ‘On the authority of‘ is a prime example. It’s a
crossword clue
that forces you to strip away the conversational padding and get to the core essence of the meaning. Are we talking about a direct quote? A sanction? An endorsement? The possibilities, while finite, require careful sifting. This kind of
crossword clue
demands that we think about the underlying relationship between the source and the statement. It’s not just about what is being said, but
who
is saying it, or
under what power
it is being said.
Tackling a
crossword clue
of this nature often involves a mental thesaurus dump, followed by a careful filtering process. You might consider words that imply validation, permission, or origin. You’d think about prepositions and their impact on meaning. You’d even consider the grammatical role the answer needs to play in the broader
crossword puzzle
solution. Is it an adverbial phrase? A noun? The specific letter count for the
crossword clue
is, of course, a critical piece of the puzzle, guiding our lexical hunt.
This isn’t just about finding a word; it’s about appreciating the nuanced artistry behind
crossword clue
construction. ‘On the authority of‘ serves as a fantastic illustration of how a common phrase can become a challenging yet rewarding linguistic puzzle. It encourages us to look beyond the obvious and delve into the precise mechanisms of language. For anyone who loves the intellectual sport of a daily
crossword puzzle
, this type of
crossword clue
is a familiar friend – one that tests our mettle and expands our linguistic horizons.
Available Answers:
PER.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Thursday’s Daily By Katie Hale & Doug Peterson / Ed. Patti Varol