Hello, fellow word-weavers and clue-conquerors! Today, we’re shining a spotlight on a particularly intriguing and somewhat formidable
crossword clue
that recently crossed my desk (and probably yours too): “Right to pass by recurrence of illness (7)“.
At first glance, this
crossword clue
presents a fascinating dichotomy. We have “Right to pass,” a phrase that immediately conjures images of legal statutes, movement, or perhaps even a philosophical permission. Then, it’s tethered to “recurrence of illness,” which firmly roots us in the realm of medicine, patterns, and the unfortunate reality of health challenges returning. And, of course, the ever-crucial (7) tells us exactly how many letters we’re hunting for.
The beauty, and sometimes the beast, of a good
crossword clue
lies in its ability to simultaneously guide and misdirect. “Right to pass” is ripe with possibilities. Is it about a physical journey? A legal entitlement? A spiritual transition? Each interpretation could lead you down a rabbit hole, and that’s precisely what makes solving a
crossword clue
so engaging. You have to consider the common meanings, but also be open to the clever, lateral leaps that expert clue-setters love to employ.
Then we pivot to “by recurrence of illness.” This part of the
crossword clue
feels more definitive, more medical. “Recurrence” implies something happening again, a repetition, a cycle. “Illness” is straightforward. The challenge is how these two distinct concepts – a right to pass and a recurring illness – are meant to combine to form a single, seven-letter word. It’s rarely a simple synonym for one part of the clue. Often, the whole phrase acts as a definition, or one part defines while the other hints at wordplay, or it’s a more abstract connection that requires a moment of inspired insight.
For this specific
crossword clue
, the word “by” acts as a crucial connector. Does the “right to pass” happen
because of
the recurrence of illness? Or does “by” imply a method, a legal clause, or perhaps even a homophone? These are the kinds of internal questions that bounce around the mind of any dedicated solver tackling a challenging
crossword clue
. It forces you to consider the nuance of prepositions and how they can dramatically alter the meaning of a phrase within the context of a puzzle.
What makes a
crossword clue
like this one so satisfying when you finally crack it open is that initial sense of perplexity. You might stare at “Right to pass by recurrence of illness (7)” for a good while, drawing blanks, running through potential synonyms for “pass” or “illness,” only to realize the answer isn’t a direct synonym at all, but rather a concept that elegantly bridges these seemingly disparate ideas. It’s that moment when the two halves click, and the cryptic becomes clear, that makes the whole endeavor worthwhile.
So, for those of you who have encountered this particular
crossword clue
, take a moment to appreciate its craftsmanship. It’s a prime example of how language can be twisted and turned to create a brain-teasing challenge that is both frustrating and immensely rewarding. It’s not just about knowing words, but understanding how they can be played with, combined, and reinterpreted. Keep at it, and that perfect seven-letter fit will surely emerge. Happy solving!
Available Answers:
RELAPSE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Thursday, 19 June 2025