The Curious Case of the Half-Hexagon: Cracking a Tricky Crossword Clue
Welcome back, fellow crossword enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving headfirst into a particularly intriguing clue that landed on my radar: “Shape that might resemble a hexagon sliced in half.” Now, at first glance, this might seem like a straightforward geometry question. But as seasoned solvers know, crossword clues are rarely what they seem. The surface reading is just the beginning of the hunt.
The beauty (and occasional frustration) of a well-crafted crossword clue lies in its ability to leverage wordplay, misdirection, and lateral thinking. The compiler isn’t simply asking for the name of a shape. They are leading you on a chase, a mental obstacle course designed to test your vocabulary, knowledge, and, perhaps most importantly, your intuition.
So, where do we even begin with a clue like this? Let’s dissect it piece by piece. The core element is, of course, the hexagon. We all remember hexagons from school: six sides, six angles, a regular polygon with a certain visual symmetry. But immediately visualizing a hexagon and picturing it neatly cleaved in two might not be the optimal approach here. While literally cutting a hexagon in half does yield a shape, consider that the crossword puzzle is looking for a common and recognizable answer.
The phrase “might resemble” is a vital piece of the puzzle. It immediately introduces an element of approximation. We’re not necessarily looking for a shape that
perfectly
replicates half a hexagon, but rather something that
bears a resemblance
to it. This opens up the possibilities considerably. This allows us to think beyond the literal and entertain shapes with slightly less precise or abstract forms.
Think about the properties of a hexagon and the impact of cutting it in half. What inherent qualities would remain? It might still have some kind of pointed end. Are we dealing with something symmetrical, or perhaps something asymmetrical? How might one describe the sides of this shape? Are they straight lines? Or do they curve in any way?
Crossword clues often utilize synonyms and alternative meanings of words. Think about other words that could be used instead of “shape”. Is there a less technical, more everyday term that might fit better? And what about “sliced”? Are there other verbs that describe dividing a shape, perhaps in a less geometrical way? Could it be bent, folded, or somehow morphed to get to a new shape?
Another key consideration is the context of the crossword itself. What is the length of the answer required? What are the intersecting letters from other solved clues? These are invaluable pieces of information that can help narrow down the possibilities and confirm or refute potential answers. If we already know one or two letters of the answer, the pool of possible solutions shrinks dramatically.
Sometimes the key is thinking outside the box. Forget about rigid geometry for a moment. Are there everyday objects or concepts that could loosely be described as resembling half a hexagon? Perhaps something from nature, architecture, or even abstract thought. The best crossword solvers are adept at making these unconventional connections.
So, as you ponder this “Shape that might resemble a hexagon sliced in half“, remember to embrace the ambiguity, explore the synonyms, and consider the broader context of the crossword. Happy puzzling! Let me know your thoughts and approaches in the comments below!
Available Answers:
TRAPEZOID.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Saturday’s Daily By Malaika Handa / Ed. Patti Varol