year 1, puzzle 1

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Year 1, Puzzle 1

A. STAGGERED B. REPRESENTED / BANGLADESH C. STATELINE / ASH WEDNESDAY D. NONCHALANT / SANITARIUMS E. VERBENA / UNSUSPECTINGLY F. TRAITOROUS / EXAGGERATOR G. ABBREVIATED / INDELICATE H. EPISCOPAL / SPREAD-EAGLED I. CREAM SODA / THE VIRGINIAN J. GRAND MARNIER / IPSO FACTO K. SEPARATION ANXIETY / KARL L. TARKENTON

Light Blooms

TAPERS Slackens (off) NIENTE Neapolitan nothing GNAWED Chewed (on) HYADES Rain-bringing nymphs ONE BIT How you might not like something SUSSEX County on the English Channel RETINA Biometric scan target PIERCE Fillmore follower APODAL Footless A: DRIVE PC slot with a colon NAILED Achieved spectacularly ARARAT Ark resting spot KENNAN Cold War diplomat George F. ___ KNOTTY Intractable, as a problem

Medium Blooms

TASERS Cop-holster items BEGGED Implored LADDER Prop for Romeo VERNON Elvis’s dad ___ Presley ANNUAL Once every revolution? PECTIN Jelly-maker’s supply SMUGLY In the manner of Martin Shkreli COVERS Does a tribute-band thing PRIDES Flatters (oneself on) GAELIC Language that gave us “shindig” and “spunk” GRAPES Muscat harvest RATION Mete (out) PIXIES Playful sprites CAR LOT Tire-kicker’s milieu

Dark Blooms

CHALET Après-ski locale SHASTA Soft drink named for a California volcano ARISEN No longer abed BAR TAB Listing that may include some zombies AIR OUT Ventilate NAGGED Pestered ROTATE Make like a volleyball team M AND M’S Some little green discs from Mars? EITHER “One or the other for me” IN A FOG At sea


Year 1, Puzzle 2

A. TOSCANINI B. WINTERGREEN / INSTANT POT C. WONDERLAND / POWER COUPLE D. BLADE RUNNER / UNFINISHED E. DEMIGODDESS / WILLIAMSON F. PLUGOLA / PRIMA BALLERINA G. DEMOLISHED / HAIR TRIGGER H. PRIME NUMBER / TETRAHEDRA I. SCHOOLFELLOW / SCOTCH EGG J. PINTEREST / FREUDIAN SLIP K. SATCHEL PAIGE / ASSENTING L. INSTALLER

Light Blooms

WINNOW Separate the chaff ALGREN The Man with The Golden Arm writer STREWN Scattered (about) TOPPLE Oust, as a dictator GIGOLO “Deuce Bigelow,” for one SWAMIS Ashram teachers MAILER Bubble wrap-lined bag CHIRPS Smoke-detector-with-dying-battery sounds FUMBLE Gridiron flub ESCORT Do ushers’ work RAGGED Frayed and worn NICHES Crannies GELATI Ristorante desserts RELENT Eventually yield

Medium Blooms

OTTERS Gaggle:geese::raft:___ CANINE Dingo or jackal, e.g. TINIAN Enola Gay takeoff island BLAMED Inculpated DUNNED Pled for payment INFILL Urban space-optimizing construction NOSHED Snacked MOLINE IL home of Deere & Co. HATRED More than animus HEGIRA Mecca-Medina trek NIPS AT Bites, puppy style STAPLE Attach, in a way SAUDIS Riyadh residents PILING Foundation feature that is driven

Dark Blooms

REDDER More embarrassed POURED Teemed COUSIN One with a common set of grandparents PLUMED Feathered SHERPA Himalayan ethnicity TRIBAL Clannish REGINA Saskatchewan’s capital LOOTER Opportunist in a riot FLOWER Bloom SNATCH Grab rudely


Year 1, Puzzle 3

A. CHOREPLAY B. FORETASTE / CASH-STRAPPED C. REMORSELESSLY / ESCAROLE D. NEHRU JACKET / ASTRINGENT E. OUGHTN'T / TASMANIAN TIGER F. PLASTER CAST / EVITA PERON G. SECLUDED SPOT / EL ALAMEIN H. SLEUTHING / PORT-AU-PRINCE I. CAME A CROPPER / RETENTIVE J. DETROIT / A HARD DAY’S NIGHT K. PANTHEIST / DISTILLERIES L. ACROSTICS

Light Blooms

FORMER Previous STEELE Brosnan TV role SHYEST Most timid ELOPED Took off to team up TENTHS Numbers after a “.” STEAMS Prepares, as clams PANTIE Victoria’s Secret buy CAMELS Ishtar rides PORING Going (over) TAUTER Not as slack EVINCE Manifest CATHER Novelist Willa ODISTS Paean penners RELICS Saints’ bones in altar stones

Medium Blooms

CHOATE JFK’s prep school CASPER The Friendly Ghost PARLAY Let-it-ride bet ENOUGH “Okay, I’ve HAD it!” ATTACK Set upon STRAIN Remove tea leaves, say REGENT Acting king DULUTH Minnesota city TROPPO Allegro non ___ (1976 Fantasia spoof) PRIMAL Like some urges or screams PANTED Breathed like Bowser THAT IS “In other words” DAYLIT Not requiring a flash, now that the sun is up EIGHTS “Crazy” playing cards?

Dark Blooms

JURORS Peers, sometimes SLATES Clusters of candidates RACING Going full speed PLACES Comes in second SACRED “Is nothing ___?” VITALE Sportscaster Dick RONNIE Singer Gilbert or Milsap EROICA Beethoven’s 3rd, popularly DRAPER Don of Mad Men SENT IN Mailed, as a contest entry


Year 1, Puzzle 4

A. AMARETTOS B. DERRING-DO / MISREPRESENT C. NELSON EDDY / TISSUE PAPER D. LAND O’GOSHEN / MRI SCANNER E. SIGHT UNSEEN / SINGLES BAR F. TARANTELLA / RATATOUILLE G. ONE NOTE / VANISHING POINT H. COMMUTER TRAIN / SINISTER I. TIMES SQUARE / FINGERNAIL J. GOLD MINER / PRESERVATIVE K. DEFEAT DEVICE / CHECKERED L. MACDONALD

Light Blooms

LENDER First baker to mass- produce bagels DODGED Eluded SUPERS Apartment overseers REPENT Preacher’s admonition U THANT Third UN boss AS NEAR Equally close LOUISE Thelma’s pal COMMIT Perpetrate QUATRE Number of saisons SIGN IN Add one’s name to a clipboard RETAIL Sell to the public CAME AT Attacked NO DICE Fuhgeddaboutit! LACKED Didn’t have

Medium Blooms

MARINA Lee Oswald’s widow MISTER “Hey, sir!” TOSSER Salad maker, at times SIGNAL Red light, e.g. NOSHES Snacks SIRING Stud’s job BARREN Infertile MUTTON Irish stew bit RAISIN Dried-out one POSING Playing the model GOLFED Hit the links NERVED Raw-___: full of courage ESCHER Artist of spatial impossibilities DERIVE Get from, etymologically

Dark Blooms

GODSON Elton John’s boy Zachary, to Lady Gaga ENMITY Animus CANAPE Hors d’oeuvre ATONER One making amends VALLEE Singer Rudy HINT AT Get close to, but don’t say LINTEL Doorframe top MISSED Taunt at a pea shooter PREFER Put before TAVERN Saloon


Year 1, Puzzle 5

A. CETACEANS B. SECLUDED SPOT / EPIDERMAL C. PLASTER CAST / IRREVERENT D. SO-CALLED / EAU DE TOILETTE E. MICHAEL BLAKE / SQUIGGLES F. CENTRAL TIME / ROLLED OATS G. IN EARNEST / KMART SHOPPER H. SAUDI ARABIA / NAMES NAMES I. RECOMBINANT DNA / GIBBOUS J. WON BY A NOSE / COMMANDEERS K. WINDOW OR AISLE / DR DENTON L. RENEGED ON

Light Blooms

PLACES Comes in second SACRED Hallowed PIERRE Great Plains capital LAMENT Bemoan EARTHA First name on a Santa Baby record label REMAKE The Last ___ of Beau Geste (Feldman movie) DOGGIE Restaurant-bag beneficiary? SAUCER What’s under a cup IN A BAR Rabbi/minister/priest meeting place? MANAGE Oversee MOUSSE Salon application DOWNER Depressing event SIEGEL Gangster Bugsy DONNED Put on

Medium Blooms

DULCET Sweet, as to the ear CAPOTE Subject of a “Tru” story? NADERS ___ Raiders (consumer watchdogs) COSMIC Kind of ray or dust BLEDEL Alexis who was Rory on Gilmore Girls QUOTES Cites SETTLE Avoid a court case RADIAN Unit equal to 180/π degrees AIKMAN Troy, the Cowboy OH, SNAP Zinger response WINNOW Free grain from chaff SONORA State bordering Arizona RAMMED Butted (into) NOTERS Observant ones

Dark Blooms

STELLA Belgian lager, to fans AUDITS Attends a class without getting credit REVILE Disparage NICENE ___ Creed (325 C.E. document) TITLES Book-spine items TROLLS Chat-room annoyances TAPERS Dwindles BOMBAY Gin brand DOCENT Well-informed guide NIBBED Cross- or glass- follower, in pen descriptions


Year 1, Puzzle 6

A. THERMIDOR B. CIMARRON / BEDSIDE MANNER C. ANESTHETIST / MANNEQUINS D. REFRIGERATOR / LATE NIGHT E. PREDESTINATION / INQUIRY F. MOO GOO GAI PAN / POLICEMEN G. DERRIERE / TALKING PARROT H. SHOOTS THE BREEZE / LECTER I. AERODYNAMIC / SEGREGATES J. TERRAPIN / SONS AND LOVERS K. TELL APART / COLLABORATED L. MASKED MAN

Light Blooms

ANEMIC Lackluster BITE ON Test, as a coin DIANNE Xavier's senior, in the Senate NINERS SF squad GOOSED Tweaked upward, as rankings PATINA Sheen CINQUE Amistad mutiny leader ASHORE No longer at sea ANTHEM Ayn Rand novel GEEZER Codger SETTER Crossword constructor, across the Atlantic PALMAS Las ___, Canary Islands LOCKED Having hair? ROMANA Type of pax beginning with Augustus

Medium Blooms

RATHER Somewhat DERMIS Collagen-containing layer RODMAN Pippen teammate PREFER Want more RETINA Apple Watch display name LATINO Brazilian or Mexican RIGHTY Tightener’s mnemonic word TORIES Conservatives BALKER Rules violator on a mound PARCEL Porch pirate’s quarry LETTER Make the varsity team STRAIN Use a sieve DNA LAB CSI milieu DETERS Forestalls

Dark Blooms

RIGHTS What may be civil or human T-STORM Nasty weather spot on a map EQUINE Like a zebra MOORED Docked GAITER Spat alternative LOPING Taking long strides MENTOR Make like a Big Brother PARODY Spaceballs, to Star Wars, e.g. SCIONS Heirs and heiresses LOVAGE Parsley-like herb used in soups


Year 1, Puzzle 7

A. SMUG ALERT B. LEAST RESISTANCE / GRETEL C. NONAGENARIAN / AU NATUREL D. SWIM BLADDER / DIAPHANOUS E. SENTIENCE / HENRI MATISSE F. ASTROS / TENDERLOIN STEAK G. DISCIPLINARIAN / INSULIN H. SUPER SIZE ME / NO ONE KNOWS I. REPOSSESSION / LAST WORDS J. OPEN WEAVE / BLACKBALLING K. INTERSPERSE / PARANORMAL L. WASTE TIME

Light Blooms

LEAN ON Coerce ARISEN Up NUANCE Fine distinction TELLER Silent partner in a stage production? SORTIE Military incursion RED HEN “Little” one who heard “Not I” a lot TITANS Nashville squad SUPPER Catholic Mass re-creation SEIZES Snatches SALOON Lonesome Dove’s Dry Bean, for one SWORDS Foils, e.g. SAWERS Users of some wooden horses SEPTET Deadly sins, e.g. E MINOR Key with one sharp

Medium Blooms

STRUMS Plays guitar chords, say STALAG P.O.W. camp REGRET Rue SWINES Dirty, lowdown, contemptible, disgusting sorts DANCED Cut a rug IMPAIR Weaken SOUSES Tipplers SPICER Victim of a Melissa McCarthy lampoon MARINE Leatherneck SUNKEN Like some treasure POINTE ___ shoes: ballet gear REPAVE Fix, as a bumpy street BARACK Hussein predecessor? LAMING Causing a limp

Dark Blooms

GAMBLE Take a risk ANDREI Nobelist Sakharov UTAHAN Mitt Romney, nowadays SADIST Cruel one LINNET Small finch IOLANI Palace that was used as police headquarters on Hawaii Five-O KAELIN Ditzy OJ trial witness Kato WESSON Crisco rival ALBION England, to Pliny TALLOW Important ingredient in pemmican


Year 1, Puzzle 8

A. EXCISIONS B. DESTROYER / ARNOLD PALMER C. DISAVOWALS / BABYLONIANS D. PINK SLIME / SQUARE-RIGGER E. IT'S USELESS / NIGHTINGALE F. GRAPPLING HOOK / DOGGEREL G. SLICED BREAD / NOSE AROUND H. SPINAL TAP / SHOOTING STAR I. DETERRENT / STOUT HEARTED J. TORTOISESHELL / NEPALESE K. SNUG AS A BUG IN A RUG / NICHE L. GOLDENROD

Light Blooms

DISSED Insulted, slangily LAWYER Solicitor BOLDLY How Capt. Kirk goes? NAMERS Parents, at baptisms SUPPLE Like a contortionist’s limbs SHOO-IN Sure-to-be-elected EGGING Urging (on) SPITED Was malicious to PATENT Copyright kin OUTHIT Got on base more RATTED Tattled GASLOG Phony fireplace kindling GINNED Deseeded, as cotton GRODIN Actor Charles of the Beethoven movies

Medium Blooms

CORTEX Brain layer RAISIN Former grape SLAP ON Apply sloppily, as paint TIP-INS Easy NBA baskets EMILES Writer Zola and boxer Griffith GARETH Round Tablemate of Galahad and Gawain REGALE Entertain extravagantly LANCED Speared, as a boil HONDAS Civics and Accords ORANGS Some apes, for short RUNS TO Totals up as ABUSES Mistreats NEURAL ___ network: artificial intelligence concept CHEESE Word said to a selfie stick?

Dark Blooms

SLOVAK Linguistic cousin to Czech SQUABS Edible pigeons ORIGIN Source GRAILS Highly sought-after things BINGER Drinker to excess DOES OK Finishes respectably RUNDLE Horizontal ladder piece RIOTER Molotov Cocktail wielder HELOTS Spartan slaves EARLAP Winter-cap feature


Year 1, Puzzle 9

A. SARAN WRAP B. MOLIÈRE / FERROMAGNETISM C. SHATTERPROOF / ESTATE CAR D. CULLEN / BUTTONED ONE’S LIP E. ORANGEMAN / SOMNAMBULATE F. IN DISREPAIR / EAST BERLIN G. BREEDER REACTOR / SHINDIG H. STRIP SEARCH / EQUITATION I. OPEN-MINDEDNESS / BRAILLE J. STRONGER / A LEG TO STAND ON K. STAINED GLASS / RESPONDED L. PLASTERED

Light Blooms

SHALOM Famous Merl Reagle clue for YOSEMITE that calls for parsing it as PREFER Have a greater liking for GAMEST Most ready to play RACISM Bigotry SINGER Sewing-machine name ISOMER Chemical “fraternal twin” LUBBER Oaf on a crew REPOST Reverse a decision to delete, online NEARED Got close SQUIBS Short takes at ends of magazine articles, e.g. LIONEL Big name in little trains ALPINE Type of skiing ASSETS Balance-sheet section PONDER Consider

Medium Blooms

SIERRA GMC truck model NARROW Like AAA shoes ENRAPT Fascinated OCULAR Vision-related TUBMAN Abolitionist Harriet MODENA Protected denominazione region for balsamic vinegar PILATE Biblical hand-washer ESPIED Caught notice of CACHET Sign of prestige HINT AT Almost reveal STARTS Flinches GLARED Looked daggers (at) TOSSER Salad maker, sometimes NODDED Appeared ready to fall asleep

Dark Blooms

NETTLE Edible green that loses its sting when cooked ON FOOT Slow-but-healthy way to get there SENATE Body of old men, etymologically BINDER Loose-leaf paper holder REAPER Harvester ROASTS Old Dean Martin TV shows IDLING Sitting at a red light, say MIGNON “Cute,” in Calais LEGEND Map feature A TRAIN NYC subway of song


Year 1, Puzzle 10

A. CONTENDER B. REDDENING / WOODEN NICKEL C. RAJAHS / WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY D. QUARRYMEN / MATTER-OF-FACT E. REKINDLED / RESTORE ORDER F. DIFF’RENT STROKES / GNARLY G. GET THE LEAD OUT / ALLEY OOP H. BATAAN / NEAREST RELATIVE I. ONION ROLLS / JUNE CLEAVER J. WILLIAM SHATNER / WRESTED K. DETESTERS / BOTTLE OPENER L. REHEARSED

Light Blooms

JARRED Struck disagreeably MOWING Doing lawn work WEANED Taken off a liquid diet? LIKELY Probable FINDER Keeper, in an adage RESORT Vacation destination ORANGE Navel, e.g. BONITA Like the isla in a Madonna song ONE ALL Early tie score CENTRE Middle of London? REVIVE Successfully perform CPR ESTHER Williams in a swimming pool TO BEAR Right-arms connection? DEPOSE Remove from office

Medium Blooms

CONNED Swindled ONE-TWO Like a boxer’s combo CINDER Fireplace residue QUAKER Oatmeal brand MENDEL Big name in grafting ROTTER Baddie, in Birmingham REDACT Delete the sensitive stuff from ATHENA Greeks’ Minerva DOUSER One who extinguishes, in a way YELL AT Loudly scold WILTED Like old lettuce SMERSH Soviet agcy. in Bond novels WELTER Confused mess RENTED Paid for by the hour

Dark Blooms

HARRY’S Hemingway “New York Bar” hangout in Paris STAMEN Flower part AFFORD Bear, financially FIDGET Betray nervousness NL EAST Home of the Braves LATKES Fried Hanukkah treats POORLY Without skill RAIL ON Criticize harshly and repeatedly JUNTAS Post-revolutionary cabals LEASER One who chooses not to buy, as an auto


Year 1, Puzzle 11

A. CARPENTER B. ROLLERBLADED / RADIOGRAM C. TAILENDER / EVISCERATING D. NOTRE-DAME / MOTHER TERESA E. BUTTERNUT SQUASH / CHOATE F. REMONSTRATION / ARS LONGA G. STIMULANT / LEWIS CARROLL H. BRONCO BUSTER / NORMALIZE I. ABSENTMINDED / STATELESS J. DESPERATE / MOLLYCODDLER K. HOUSTON ROCKETS / ONE CENT L. ACROSTICS

Light Blooms

TAILOR Customize BLARED Made like a boom box CEDARS Word in an LA medical center name INGMAR A Bergman NOTERS Observers QUOITS Ring-toss game SCHOOL Instruct ABSORB Involve completely NIMBUS Rain cloud ONSTAR GM feature with eNav SEIZES Wrests CASTOR Star in Gemini SOCKET Kind of wrench SCENIC Panoramic

Medium Blooms

CARREL Library cubicle PENDED Awaited further action GOITER Iodine-deficiency problem BUTTON Close, in a way MANUTE ___ Bol, NBA’s tallest-ever player REHASH Go over. . . again AT EASE Cousin of “parade rest” COLUMN Regular newspaper gig WELTER Boxer who weighs 145 lb., for short LAMARR Blazing Saddles role for Korman, Hedley ___ HOUSED Sheltered ORNATE Florid in style COSTLY Expensive RELENT Be less insistent

Dark Blooms

LENDER Packaged-bagel baker Harry MOTIVE Detective’s determination TARTER More pucker-inducing REMITS Sends in payment TARTAN Kilt cloth ARCSIN Measurement in radians, for short GALLON Dairy case measure REPENT Word on a prophet’s sandwich board MOLDED Formed while pliable TODDLE Walk like a 2-year-old


Year 1, Puzzle 12

A. NO PLANET B B. PSYCHOPATHY / METALLURGY C. IDEALISTICALLY / LINSEED D. REGATTA / WHOLE LOTTA LOVE E. CONTUMELIOUS / SEX KITTEN F. VACANT STARE / TERMINATOR G. OKSANA / STRAIGHT SHOOTER H. OUR MAN FLINT / SERIAL PORT I. SECOND STRING / ALABASTER J. IN ONE EAR / AMELIA BEDELIA K. CAMPHORATED / INSOMNIACS L. SENSELESS

Light Blooms

SPIDEY Stan Lee creation, familiarly IT’S PAT Film based on an SNL character LATELY “These days” GREEDY Venal MUTANT Like Michelangelo? OUSTER Ejection, as from office NIKITA Leonid predecessor SOURCE Leaker, to a journalist FLIRTS Some teasers AERIAL Telescoping auto accessory, once RETORT Snappy comeback PHONES Gets in touch ELIDES Skips over MESSIN’ Foolin’ (around)

Medium Blooms

PONCHO Armless garment HYMNAL Book in a seat back BULLET Roy Rogers’s dog CONGER Big eel AWHILE For a spell EXTOLS Praises VENETO Expensive Roman street, with “Via” MAÑANA Peggy Lee song about procrastination GIANTS Buster Posey’s team HOOPLA Foofaraw MONICA First name in White House internship ARARAT Biblical landing place BOSNIA Yugoslavia spinoff SCALIA Operagoing pal of Justice Ginsburg

Dark Blooms

ATTILA “Scourge of God” LOCALE Vicinity LATINS Most South Americans KOVACS Ernie on early TV STARTS Reacts with surprise THERMS 100,000-BTU measures ROTTER Cad NO NEED “I’ve got this” MINGLE Work the room at a party, say DEBASE Cheapen


Year 1, Puzzle 13

A. MAURITIUS B. WINNIPEGGER / EQUATORIAL C. DEAD HORSE / CROSS-TRAINED D. TATER TOTS / ANTAGONISTIC E. KIDNAPPERS / MASTICATING F. PURITANICAL / POTSTICKER G. SNOW LEOPARD / STALINGRAD H. MACABRE / BREAD AND BUTTER I. EARL THE PEARL / SAILBOARD J. DOLLAR TREE / NIGHTINGALE K. SPARE PART / TRAINSPOTTER L. HARNESSED

Light Blooms

EDWINA Lady Mountbatten EGGERS A Heartbreaking Work of

Staggering Genius author SQUATS Leg strengtheners DENIAL “Not a river in Egypt,” per some wags PATINA Film about a statue? PLASMA Transfused medium TACTIC Stratagem MACRAE Gordon of Oklahoma! BEEPER Pager SANDIA National lab in New Mexico RETARD Cause to be late HARPER Paul Newman title role SENTRA Nissan model DESPOT Tyrant

Medium Blooms

MAUPIN Tales of the City author Armistead RETIRE Go to bed SUITOR Serenader, perhaps DIKTAT Tyrant’s decree TOPERS Heavy drinkers, slangily IT’S A GO We’re on! CITING Including footnotes BAWLER Crybaby DREADS Rastafarian’s pride TUBING River-floater’s sport DO LAPS Go back and forth in the pool TARTER More pucker-inducing NIGHTS Hotel stays RELATE Tell, as a story

Dark Blooms

RED HOT All the rage CANTOR Synagogue singer RAISIN Dried fruit SPUR ON Urge PACINO Serpico portrayer TOTALS Sums DARKER Further past twilight THRALL State of complete absorption LINEAR Going directly from A to B GOBLIN Halloween spook


Year 1, Puzzle 14

A. PLEASE, SIR B. COMEDY STORE / SNOWCLONES C. NONE AT ALL / QUADRANGULAR D. HORSERADISH / SOMNOLENCE E. BASE PAIR / MAJOR GENERAL’S F. CLOSET SPACE / LUBRICATED G. DESCENDER / BOTTLE OPENER H. DRESS TO THE NINES / SUNDER I. IT HAD TO BE YOU / ROTTERDAM J. APPRENTICED / BOTTICELLI K. GRAHAM CRACKER / DECEDENT L. REMARRIED

Light Blooms

NONCOM Sgt., e.g. ALLOTS Distributes DRAW ON Utilize LARSEN Perfect game pitcher Don PESETA Iberian euro predecessor CAJOLE Wheedle RACINE Wisconsin city DITHER Be indecisive BOOTHE Clare ___ Luce NESTOR Sage in the Iliad MADDER More irate HAMMER Word before home or head RACKER Loser at pool, in the next game, often DEICED Did a pre-takeoff job

Medium Blooms

YELPED Howled with displeasure online? ERASES Wipes out CLORIS Player of Phyllis on TV ABHORS Loathes MIDAIR Bad place for a collision MORGEN Guten ___ LANCES Pricks, as a boil SCENTS Aromas BENITO First name in fascism US OPEN Major that Sam Snead never won, but placed 2nd in 4 times GRAPPA Italian brandy ARCTIC Like part of Sweden ROTTED Went bad LENTIL Mujadara bit

Dark Blooms

RESEAT Move to another table, say SQUASH Racket sport LONGUE Chaise ___ CLOSED Like many museums on Monday SPARED Chose not to punish BUTLER Last name at Tara RENTED Leased DARENT Doesn’t risk, quaintly BUOYED Lifted, as one’s spirits RECITE Say, as a poem


Year 1, Puzzle 15

A. VAPORETTO B. FIRING SQUAD / I LIKED THAT C. TERRESTRIALLY / JONNY CAT D. LOST IN SPACE / RESEARCHER E. LIED UNDER OATH / TSUNAMIS F. BURGER’S DAUGHTER / GRIEVE G. NOT LEAST / ROOFTOP GARDEN H. RHUBARB / ALL HANDS ON DECK I. ASSUMED NAME / FORFEITURE J. EMANCIPATOR / ANTECEDENT K. SESQUIPEDALIAN / SWAGGER L. SEROTONIN

Light Blooms

TERRIF “Fab!” SQUIRT Fresca rival JOKILY In an unserious way ATTACH Use Velcro, say NUDGER Elbow user OUGHTA Should, slangily AIRGUN Pellet firer HUSSAR Hungarian horseman DNA LAB CSI set FRONDS Palm products UECKER Catcher in the Wry author/sportscaster Bob SQUIRE Knight-to-be ALIOTO SF politician Angela who failed 6/5/18 to become mayor like her father AWNING Storefront shade provider

Medium Blooms

PAVING Covering in asphalt, say ROADIE Band aide TOTTED Counted (up) OLLIES Certain skateboard leaps SPARED Showed mercy THESES Luther’s 95 I’M HERS Comment from a possessed man? ARABLE Suitable for farming LOOFAH Exfoliating sponge DRAGON Saint George’s prey SESAME Tahini ingredient TAPPED Knocked softly NANTES Edict locale of 1598 REGENT Acting monarch

Dark Blooms

INSERT Word before “coin” or “tab” RECALL Memory CRANNY Nook’s partner BURTON Nile explorer Richard STRADS Expensive violins, for short POTTER Rowling creation EVENED Tied (the score) MUNCIE Indiana city called “Middletown, U.S.A.” FEMORA A plural form for “thighbone” DECEIT Chicanery


Year 1, Puzzle 16

A. TREASURED B. ENGELBERT / CLASS ACTIONS C. BLACKKKLANSMAN / HELOISE D. GENE POOL / DOROTHY PARKER E. EVERGLADES / YOSEMITE SAM F. IRREVOCABLE / KEVIN KLINE G. VEAL SCALLOPINI / STAUNCH H. FORWARD / CELLOPHANE TAPE I. DEMOISELLE / ILLUSTRATES J. SNOW ANGEL / MAGNILOQUENT K. IT’S A STEAL / SPINE-TINGLER L. DAREDEVIL

Light Blooms

BENGAL Kolkata’s locale TALKER Cinema distractor HASSAN With “II,” Moroccan king for nearly 40 years NOISES Library distractions GLOVER Gunman portrayer Danny in Silverado (1985) YOKELS Bumpkins TINKLE Go wee-wee FORMED Brought together, as a band CELLED Single-___ (like an ameba) SULPHA Early antibiotic drug type PESETA Euro predecessor STRADA Fellini’s La ___ ESPIED Glimpsed LIVING Residing

Medium Blooms

TREBLE Stereo knob CASUAL Like Dockers in the office CREDIT Latin for “s/he trusts” GENÈVE World Health Org’s Swiss HQ, to locals LOADED Really wealthy THYMES Some spices in the mint family MASKER One who conceals SCRAWL Doctor’s writing, stereotypically POLLOI Hoi-___ TAUTEN Remove slack, as from a rope SITS ON Holds back, as a discovery ALLEGE Assert LINNET Finch that likes flax (which gave it its name) RELENT Cancel a demand, say

Dark Blooms

KOPECK Part of a ruble: Var. MORONS “Knuckleheads!” PAROLE Get-out-of-jail arrangement ARRIVE Become famous BACALL Bogart’s bride VISINE Murine rival CHENIN ___ Blanc wine IOWANS Johnny Carson and John Wayne, by birth MAGLIE Pitcher whose nickname was “Sal the Barber” QUARTO Four-leaved book size


Year 1, Puzzle 17

A. RENTAL CAR B. E-CIGARETTE / SELFIE STICK C. POLYHEDRON / SIERRA MADRE D. STEADY EDDIE / DEMONIZING E. VALENTINE’S DAY / ENDEAVOR F. ERASERHEAD / REACTIONARY G. STRAIGHT LINE / SKEDADDLE H. SAINTS ALIVE / DÜSSELDORF I. COFFEE, TEA OR ME / DIABOLIC J. TARRED / WHAT’S THE BIG RUSH K. ASTRONOMY / RESTRAINABLE L. EPICENTER

Light Blooms

POLICE Sting’s group ROTTED Went bad RIFLER One who searches quickly, like a burglar DICKER Bargain on price RESENT Take exception to DREADS Anticipates with angst NO IDEA “Search me” FIASCO Debacle ET ALIA And others, to Ovid ISSUED Made, as a statement FROLIC Gambol PERONI Nastro Azzurro Italian beer CENSER Smoker in a cathedral RETINA Eye part

Medium Blooms

GARNER Jennifer or James of filmdom ELATES Thrills TRACES Copies, in a way VALETS Manservants DENIED Gainsaid E-MONEY Bitcoin, e.g. ROVING Traveling far and wide GIANTS World Series champs of 2010, 2012, and 2014 DEVINE Andy of old oaters ADDLED Confused STRATA Layers HAYMOW Fodder locale in a barn THE BAR Phrase after lower or pass BUSHEL Eight dry gallons

Dark Blooms

HEYDAY Prime of one’s life INSIDE Like some bank jobs AMAZIN’ Like the ’69 Mets RAREST Most prized, often HEALTH Word in a toast CASKET Coffin RADLEY Boo from Harper Lee FEEDER Tributary T-STORM Lightning-bolt icon on a weather map BORGIA Lucrezia of toxicology fame


Year 1, Puzzle 18

A. MULTIPLES B. SECLUDED SPOT / GREAT SEAL C. CONAN O’BRIEN / WELL, I NEVER D. CHAPARRAL / CROSS-EXAMINE E. STRAPPED FOR CASH / PAELLA F. PROGRESSIVELY / PEACH PIT G. ON BENDED KNEE / TERM PAPER H. SELF-DECEIT / REBROADCAST I. WHITE RABBIT / RANGE ROVER J. FORECASTLE / BETTE MIDLER K. DECREPITUDE / MUFFULETTA L. DIAPER PIN

Light Blooms

SCONCE Candle holder, often DEBRIS Explosion scatterings GELLER Magician Uri REVEAL Tell (a secret) GAPPER Line drive that falls beyond and between outfielders VELCRO Fabric with hooks and loops APACHE Huey cousin WHILES Makes time pass (away) CABBIE Rival of a Lyft driver BANGOR Destination of a boxcar in King of the Road AVERTS Prevents REPAID Settled, as a debt PERMED Did a do, lastingly LUPINE Resembling a wolf

Medium Blooms

LUDLUM Bourne’s creator TIPTOP Unsurpassed STALES Goes bad, as bread CHARTS Sets a course, on the main FLARED Like bell-bottoms SASHES Window parts LINEAL Like a direct descendent FENDED Warded (off) ENTRÉE Main course MADCAP Zany FORCED Compelled LUTIST Minstrel, often TUFFET Seat in a nursery rhyme RATTLE Annoy; get to

Dark Blooms

ON A PAR About even (with) CROWNE With “Plaza,” a hotel chain MAXINE Congresswoman Waters NO PROB “You’re welcome,” to a hipster KISSED Touched, as billiard balls RETYPE Input a deleted file, perhaps TIPPER Favorite of a maître-d’ CETERA Others, to Ovid BERTIE Wooster who was served by Wodehouse’s Jeeves DO-RE-MI Moola


Year 1, Puzzle 19

A. RORSCHACH B. MADEMOISELLE / LIVERPOOL C. OPEN ORDER / UNDEREXPOSED D. CAPO / CHICKEN OF THE TREES E. ROTARY PRESS / ROUGH RIDER F. PONTIFICATE / ESTATE CARS G. PINNACLE / CLIMATE CHANGE H. TERCEL / UP FOR DISCUSSION I. CLAIMS TO FAME / TRUCK STOP J. GEN XERS / A WRINKLE IN TIME K. AWE-INSPIRING / IMMOLATES L. BACKSAVER

Light Blooms

POMADE Greaser’s goo RESIDE Inhabit RELIVE Experience again, maybe hauntingly LOOSED Unleashed RATIFY Approve, as an amendment STEERS Directs THRICE How Peter denied, in Matthew CLARET Bordeaux, to a Brit PUT OFF Set back, as a wedding date CURTIS Some Like It Hot star POTION Elixir, e.g. CABINS Cruise-ship accommodations ASKING Querying VOLARE Song whose real title is Nel

blu dipinto di blu

Medium Blooms

ROMERO The Joker on TV’s Batman SCHELL Maximilian of Judgment at

Nuremberg PREACH Give a sermon CAPTOR One holding a prisoner PICKER Banjo player, slangily FOUGHT Battled SEEDER Farmer’s furrow filler CANCEL Render unusable, as a stamp MILORD Term of address for an English nobleman SUCH AS “Can you give an example?” NEW AGE Holistic, mystical, environmental, and all that RIPSAW Cutter along the grain KIMMEL Jimmy of late night SEMITE Jew or Arab, e.g.

Dark Blooms

CHRONO Word in many high-end watch names UNDONE With loose buttons, say EXPORT Sell abroad NIPPON Part of Japan’s ANA CELICA Toyota model, 1970–2006 EATS AT Annoys RANGES Hotpoint products MIXERS Nonalcoholic bar supplies MARINE Leatherneck ST. NICK Chimney worker?


Year 1, Puzzle 20

A. SQUINTERS B. RETIREMENT / DECLARATIVE C. TO THE LAST / EUPHORICALLY D. ABSURDEST / DISRESPECTED E. THE MENTALIST / TIME SCALE F. ADD BACK / CANNED RESPONSE G. SELECTED / PIGHEADEDNESS H. SMALL SCREENS / DE LA RENTA I. MAD SCRAMBLE / REGULATION J. SWEET ADELINE / SMOKED HAM K. REST IN PEACE / EVENING OUT L. DARKBLOOM

Light Blooms

TOTTER Teeter-___ AMENTS Catkins CHORAL Written for church singers, say EVILLY In a villainous manner CABMEN Taxi drivers TENNIS Nadal’s sport COPSES Thickets of trees MADAMS Brothel bosses CAMBER Bend upward in the center, as a ski DELUGE Enormous flood ANOINT Dab with oil DARN IT “Rats!” BLEECK Dutch painter Pieter van ___ (sorry about this one) MOOING Dairy-farm sound

Medium Blooms

RISQUÉ Like a see-through blouse, back in the day TINTED Like many limousine windows STARER Fixated one BATHES Has a wash LATEST Most up to date MITRES British bishops’ headdresses ELATED Over-the-moon happy T-CELLS Tiny victims of an HIV attack NEIGHS Horse-farm sounds ENDEAR Arouse affection RESEWS Stitches anew PEALED Tolled, as a bell VENOMS Bee and snake poisons MAHOUT Hindu elephant handler

Dark Blooms

HURDLE Track-and-field obstacle UPSIDE Possible positive outcome IPECAC Barf-inducing syrup SADDLE Get ready for a trip on horseback, with “up” PACKED Got ready for a trip DEADER More like a doornail? SENSES Sight, taste, etc. CRATES Orange boxes RELINE Mend, as an old coat TALKED Spoke


Year 1, Puzzle 21

A. NOOTROPIC B. TUTANKHAMEN / SQUARE KNOT C. SOMALIAN / OVERSTRETCHES D. WHITE PEPPER / BROWN PAPER E. SELF-EVIDENT / OLD SOLDIER F. NEWSREEL / MISCELLANEOUS G. EGALITARIAN / IT’S A SECRET H. PAYLESS / QUARTER POUNDER I. PERSEVERING / ANNABEL LEE J. BERSERKELEY / CRIME SPREE K. INDISCRETION / PRESS PASS L. FLAGELLUM

Light Blooms

UTMOST Maximal OMAHAN Warren Buffett, notably QUARTS Edy’s purchases HESTON Moses portrayer FEVERS “Spiking” symptoms TOCSIN Poisonous-sounding alarm bell LOANED Lent YAPPER Annoying dog SQUIRE Country gent PANNER Many a gold miner LEERED Lasciviously looked FISCAL Corporate type of year LEGION Multitudinous SLUMPS Batters’ lean periods

Medium Blooms

NANOOK Eskimo on 1922 marquees TENSOR Type of desk lamp PICKER Certain farmworker WHILES Passes time, with “away” DIEPPE Alternative to Calais, for Channel crossers WORLDS With “apart,” really, really separate PIERRE First pope, to the French ILLEST Most awesome, in the 'hood ANITRA Alluring dancer of Peer Gynt OUNCES Pound parts REBIND Assemble again, as a book TERKEL Storytelling Studs PRIMER First reader SAREES Delhi garments: Var.

Dark Blooms

PILATE Biblical hand-washer REVERB Guitar-pedal control PAC TEN NCAA conf. before adding 2 teams in 2011 NEW AGE Tesh genre ELMIRA NY site of Mark Twain’s grave STELLA Cry in Streetcar OUSTER Forcible removal SERVES Is useful CAGNEY Cohan portrayer PLEBES Annapolis frosh


Year 1, Puzzle 22

A. NO PROBLEM B. CREATIONIST / OLD BOTTLES C. ALL WHEEL DRIVE / HENCHMAN D. SUPERBOWL / STEAM TURBINE E. PEPPER STEAK / ARMORED CAR F. LIFE SUPPORT / MOST WANTED G. PUTTERED / LOWER EAST SIDE H. CALL IT QUITS / DISNEYLAND I. SEVENTEENTH / ELKE SOMMER J. ENTRAPMENT / SIMON COWELL K. SARSAPARILLA / SODBUSTER L. STONEWARE

Light Blooms

CALLER One with an I.D.? LEONID Nikita successor BEHELD Laid eyes on ANSELM Saintly founder of scholasticism PERUSE Examine with care AMTRAK Acela operator WANDER Rove CALVES Does a glacier’s iceberg-creating move EQUINE Of horses SILKEN Velvety smooth REMAND Send back, as a court case PASS TO Throw at, as a QB ALL NEW TV promo promise ABUSER One who mistreats

Medium Blooms

ON A TIP How a detective may act ROBOTS Stepford wives, e.g. MEL OTT 1st to 500 HR in the National League PEPS UP Energizes OWLETS Big-eyed nest denizens MARMOT “Whistle pig” RACINE French playwright or Wisconsin town TILTER Jouster STOWED Put (away) SLYEST Most cunning SENTRA Civic rival MARINE John Glenn in the 1950s, e.g. OSMOND Donny or Marie RETELL Keep alive, as a story

Dark Blooms

HEBREW A Semite RIVETS Makes like Rosie BRUNCH Midmorning meal UPLIFT Morale boost LOPPED Sheared (off) SORE AT Upset with EDITED Shortened, usually PARENT Guardian alternative? THEIST Certain believer MOSCOW Capital that, like Lisbon, is 1450 miles from Frankfurt


Year 1, Puzzle 23

A. INSTALLED B. RATTLESNAKE / SALAMANDER C. PITUITARY GLAND / BEATNIK D. BELGRADE / TORE UP THE ROAD E. COLLEGE DIPLOMA / ECHELON F. GINSENG ROOT / WASHATERIA G. REGATTAS / MASS MARKETING H. EDIBLE / CALL ON THE CARPET I. SCHLESINGER / TEETOTALER J. ANTIDEPRESSANT / SPOTTER K. TRADEMARKED / RICK NELSON L. SHAGGIEST

Light Blooms

TAR PIT La Brea feature ARYANS Ancient Indo-Europeans DNA LAB CSI facility KINDER Adjective, with “gentler,” applied to the IRS by Bush 41 ENGELS Marx partner LOW-TOP Kind of tennis shoe CHEETA Tarzan’s pet ape CHIDES Criticizes LACING Tying, as a tennis shoe TEETHE Erupt, in a way PETREL “Stormy” sea bird SHAMED Castigated publicly RIGGED Fixed, crooked NESTLE Quik manufacturer

Medium Blooms

TINSEL Christmas-tree adornment LATKES Hanukkah fried cakes MANDEL Funny Howie BELLOC Hilaire of children’s verse, like “Matilda who told lies and was burnt to death” EDITED Improved, as text TEAM UP Work together NO-LOAD Like some mutual funds TABLET Keyboard-less computer SALONS Educational gatherings RACKET Din TARTAN Scot’s plaid PARKER Surname of board-game Brothers ST. NICK Dec. 24 visitor STERNO “Canned heat”

Dark Blooms

GUITAR Segovia’s forte AL GORE Loser in a 2000 Supreme Court case REHEAT Zap again GINGER Movie star on Gilligan’s Island ORGASM Peak experience ASHRAM Place for Hindu meditation AIRING Broadcasting ELIDES Says, “I’m just sayin’,” for example ASSERT Put forward, as an argument POTATO Answer to the riddle, “It has eyes but cannot see”


Year 1, Puzzle 24

A. WATCH THIS B. COGNOSCENTI / WINE TASTER C. CANTANKEROUS / LEFT BRAIN D. SOLAR ECLIPSE / FREE VERSE E. EPILOGUE / DISHARMONIOUS F. CONFEDERATE FLAG / CICERO G. SECURELY / BELTWAY BANDIT H. WHISTLER’S MOTHER / LAYINS I. SELF-IMPORTANCE / LOST ART J. TERIYAKI / MERCHANDISING K. FILING CABINET / SKELETON L. CRAFTSMAN

Light Blooms

COGNAC Courvoisier, e.g. NECKER One at Lover’s Lane FELINE Tiger or liger RETAIN Don’t relinquish GOLFED Hit the links FETISH A thing for feet, e.g. ICONIC Like the shape of a Coke bottle WHILES Passes pleasantly, with “away” ROPERS Stoves since 1874 LECHER Tartuffe, at heart, despite outward piety STRAIN Use a colander ARCING Moving, as from a catapult FINEST Unsurpassed ENAMEL The skin of one’s teeth?

Medium Blooms

WATSON Ken Jennings defeater TWITCH Nervous reaction HISS AT Respond to, as a villain PILOSE Soft and hairy, like a caterpillar EUCLID Author whose textbook had > 1000 editions FARMER Agriculturalist ROUSES Awakens RUSTLE Take stock, wrongly? MOTTLE Cover with spots ALBANY Duke in King Lear LIFTER Pulley, often I’M BACK “My trip has ended!” THANKS “’Preciate it!” NOTING Jotting down

Dark Blooms

RENATA Name meaning “born again” SPOUSE One who said “I do” BREVET Type of colonel Alexander Hamilton became in 1783 SCONCE Candle holder BARELY By the skin of one’s teeth GALWAY Bay of Ireland EDITOR Abridger, often IF I MAY “With your permission. . .” CRETAN Epimedes’ nationality, in the Liar’s Paradox ODISTS Keats and Pindar


Year 1, Puzzle 25

A. DYSTOPIAN B. KIDNEY STONE / TURTLE DOVE C. PAN-HELLENIC / SHELLACKED D. OLD MAN WINTER / SYLVESTER E. SNOWBOARDING / MEL’S DINER F. CAROLYN / HARPSICHORDIST G. SMOKE SIGNAL / SORE THROAT H. BLEW A FUSE / ROMANCE NOVEL I. RAMSHACKLE / AIR FORCE ONE J. FREELOADERS / RED CABBAGE K. ATTRACTIVENESS / UNWOVEN L. BART STARR

Light Blooms

KIDNAP Shanghai, in a way ELSTON Catcher Howard of the 60s Yankees HURTLE Dash headlong EVOKED Called to mind LOWBOY Squat chest of drawers SPRING Leap (to mind) SORDID Squalid MARBLE Aggie, e.g. SUCKLE Nurse, as a baby FRANCO Spain’s Generalissimo ELEVON Hinged flap on a plane wing BAR CAR Where to find a Rusty Nail on a train TENETS Guiding beliefs NARROW Shoe specification

Medium Blooms

SYDNEY Hugh Jackman’s birthplace TOP-TEN Adjective for a Letterman list NAILED Got absolutely right SOLD ON Convinced of DRAW IN Cause to enter, as an argument SMELLY Odiferous RENTER Temporary paid user FAWKES Eponymous source of “guy wire” MORALS Fable finishers THRONE Toilet, slangily FATTER More obese DATIVE “To or for” Latin case CUSSED Recited an oath? GENEVA League of Nations home

Dark Blooms

LEHMAN Brothers in a 2008 meltdown CITERS Highway patrolmen, often CALVES Breaks off a new iceberg CAROMS Makes like a billiard ball HANG IN 2 words before “there” and “the balance” HEROIC Herculean, say TAOIST Lao-Tse follower HAOLES Caucasians, in Kauai REAIRS Broadcasts again CRABBE Only actor to play Tarzan, Flash Gordon, and Buck Rogers


Year 1, Puzzle 26

A. MISTLETOE B. IMPERSONATES / RETOOLING C. SLED RIDES / SURREALISTIC D. DEPLANING / REGAL BEARING E. TRANSISTOR RADIO / ORAJEL F. RETURN TO SENDER / SWING AT G. LET’S START / PAT ROBERTSON H. TORTURER / STAPLES CENTER I. POINSETTIA / MACHINE-MADE J. ENTITLING / HABERDASHERY K. MALE MODEL / CARAMEL APPLE L. CHRISTMAS

Light Blooms

IMPELS Drives forward SEDONA Artist colony south of Flagstaff, Arizona À TERRE Pied-___ (flat in the city, say) CITING Referencing RUNS IN Arrests RADNER Comedian Gilda IN A ROW How answers to paired clues are entered here POIROT Christie detective SITTER Temp employee on date night CHISEL Sculptor’s tool REDATE Falsify a check, perhaps CHROME Firefox rival RACIST Prejudiced one PALMAS With “Las,” capital of Gran Canaria island

Medium Blooms

REMISS Neglectful SETTLE Reach an agreement (out of court, say) O’TOOLE Actor Peter who voiced Pantaloon in The Nutcracker Prince DEPART Make tracks INGOTS Gold bars OBLADI Half a nonsensical Beatles title JINGLE Make a sleigh-bell sound STRUTS Sashays with attitude TAP-TAP Raven sound on a chamber door? RECENT Newish LAMENT Bewail DINGLE Peninsula in Ireland (that rhymes with that sleigh-bell sound) REAMED Cleaned, as a pipe YELPER Online reviewer

Dark Blooms

ALDRIN #2 after Armstrong SURGER “Perfect head” beer aerator sold by Guinness ISRAEL To which “Emmanuel shall come” in a holiday lyric LETTER What “it” was in Row F’s Elvis song STRATO Prefix for sphere or lounger BORERS Auger users SONTAG Susan who wrote Illness as

Metaphor TINSEL Type of garland on some trees BAHAMA Freeport’s “Grand” island ASHMEN Garbage removers


Year 1, Puzzle 27

A. POST-TRUTH B. TIME-RELEASE / UNLOOSENED C. TEN DOWNING / GOOD-NATURED D. UNIDENTIFIED / CONFLATED E. TEMPORARY / RAISE THE ROOF F. EQUESTRIANISM / ANTIDOTE G. SPINE-TINGLER / LION TAMER H. OXIDATED / MASTER BEDROOM I. LIBIDO / FOR THE TIME BEING J. YOU CAN’T WIN ‘EM ALL / MACNEE K. AP TEST / INTERSCHOLASTIC L. PRECIPICE

Light Blooms

MITTEN Glove cousin LEAN IN Advice to women from Sheryl Sandberg LONDON Home of The Times REDDEN Betray embarrassment TROPES Abandoned homes, in horror movies, e.g. RAISIN French for “grape” DITHER Shillyshally BILOXI Port town in a Neil Simon title DEFORM Bend out of shape TIMBRE Quality of sound, in music MOOING Pasture sound PESTER Beleaguer SPICER Press secretary Sean ALICE’S Restaurant of song

Medium Blooms

REPOSE Relaxation TRUEST Most faithful HE’S OUT Ump’s call MINUTE Tiny RATIFY Endorse, in a way CONTES Maupassant spécialités FOOTED Elevated, as a cake plate ATTEND Go to ALERTS Warns ARDENT Fervid PAYOUT Choice for a lottery winner NITWIT Nincompoop CHOLLA Western U.S. spiny cactus ENTICE Lure

Dark Blooms

DOWNED Drank quickly DOGGIE Perhaps unlikely recipient of a restaurant “bag” FLAUTA Rolled, filled, and deep-fried tortilla EQUIPS Provides with gear AIRING Broadcasting OILMAN J.R. Ewing, for one REMOTE Unlikely, as a possibility ON ACID Tripping MENTHE Crème de ___ BECAME Showed to advantage, as an outfit


Year 1, Puzzle 28

A. REGICIDES B. SELF-INTEREST / OMELET PAN C. SORTABIOGRAPHY / LOFGREN D. KETTLE OF FISH / ACROPOLIS E. CARTLAND / ONLY IN AMERICA F. SECOND BASE / POSTMORTEMS G. CONCATENATE / CEREBRALLY H. MOSQUITO NET / ACCUMULATE I. RANK AMATEUR / POSTPARTUM J. DEPART / WIENER SCHNITZEL K. SUPER BLESSED / DRAGOONED L. BREAK A LEG

Light Blooms

LESSOR Rental contract side GOITER Swelled thyroid condition HOMELY Plain looking PANNER Riverine gold miner DALTON Bond between Moore and Brosnan OPENLY Hardly in a hidden way TREMOR Mild quake RANSOM Kidnap demand NOTATE Add references STUCCO Mission-style house finish MUTATE Change BERBER Ethnicity across North Africa SEDAKA Calendar Girl singer GOOGLE Look up, nowadays

Medium Blooms

FINGER Identify to the cops ICIEST Least welcoming ELDEST Primogeniture beneficiary RACKET Din FOND OF Partial to CRANIA Mental cases? SILICA Desiccant beads ACQUIT Find innocent TECATE Corona shelfmate UMBRAL Of a shadow’s darkest part SUPPED Had an evening meal WIESEL Night author Elie CHARDS Red- and green-stalked leafy vegetables DENZEL Malcolm portrayer in X

Dark Blooms

BATTLE Conflict PARISH Louisiana subdivision GO POOF Vanish, perhaps magically SCONCE Candle holder mounted on a wall SABENA Erstwhile Belgian airline MEREST Most trifling SMELLY Malodorous AMTRAK Coast Starlight operator PRUNER Worker in the branch office? IN PART To a certain degree


Year 1, Puzzle 29

A. MANOREXIC B. ICONOCLASTIC / ROLE MODEL C. NELSON MANDELA / PEEP SHOW D. BRACHIATION / ALLITERATE E. EGG DROP SOUP / MONEYMAKER F. PETE’S WICKED ALE / EARNEST G. PAT CONROY / GUESSTIMATED H. TONY AWARD / RADIO STATION I. LISTERINE / WALLED GARDEN J. PLEASE PLEASE ME / ROUTINE K. POTTER’S WHEEL / SHAMELESS L. IN A SECOND

Light Blooms

NICOLE Actress Kidman SALMAN Author Rushdie PAROLE Type of officer or violation HOWLED Screamed in pain DROWSE Nod (off) MADE-UP Invented MAN RAY Dada photographer TONSIL Kid’s surgery target, often RAINED Came down SOILED Used, as a diaper DIONNE Chief interpreter of Burt and Hal’s songs RETINA Eye part CLEESE So Anyway… autobiographer LEMOND 3-time Tour de France winner Greg

Medium Blooms

CON MAN Stinger? EROTIC Steamy MEXICO Where Porfirio Diaz ruled BEGGAR Dog at the table, sometimes PATIOS Backyard-BBQ settings O’NEILL Tip of the House? RETAKE Seize again, as a hill in battle CONWAY TV partner of Burnett and Korman ARGUED Disputed TATAMI Japanese mat TOPPLE Knock over WHELPS Has puppies HAREMS Groups guarded by eunuchs SEINES Nets with floats

Dark Blooms

CHINOS Many Dockers pants DELANO Presidential middle name PETERS Dies (out) TAPPET “Click and Clack, the ___ Brothers” YORICK Owner of a skull in Hamlet STEELS Girds (oneself) DETEST Loathe TERESA Mother who won a Nobel WALESA Solidarity leader RAGOUT Goulash relative


Year 1, Puzzle 30

A. BOB CROSBY B. CLEAN-SHAVEN / STRATEGIST C. STAGE MANAGER / MAKE SENSE D. BÊTE NOIRE / LOBSTER TAILS E. YES, MASTER / CANNON FODDER F. PURPLE PASSAGE / MAGELLAN G. RESCUE MISSION / STANFORD H. PALPITATION / PETER ROGET I. DELROY LINDO / MIDDLE NAME J. PREDISPOSED / AMEN CORNER K. INTERSTITIAL / RED STATER L. CARROT TOP

Light Blooms

CLEATS Spikes HAVANA Expensive smoke AMTRAK “All Aboard!” service INSETS Maps within maps SAMPLE Not-for-sale marking GAS CAN Burden for an unplanned hitchhiker GELDOF Live Aid founder Bob PALLED Hung (around with) LATIN I “Amo Amas” class DIETED Tried to lose GAMETE Ovum, for one RACERS Pit visitors RIALTO Common theater name STOP AT Pull into, as a diner

Medium Blooms

NABOBS “Nattering ___ of negativism” (Agnew) CENSOR Edit out GETS BY Ekes out a living BETSEY David Copperfield’s aunt, ___ Trotwood RETIRE Hang up one’s spurs TENONS Mortise partners SLIDER Small burger CUE TIP Chalked item in a game POISON Dior perfume RAN FOR Sought, as office PINTER Playwright Harold POST-IT Yellow sticky MENDER Seamstress, sometimes RENTER Lessee

Dark Blooms

GENOME High-tech map subject BOLGER Costar of Garland and Lahr RESEAT Move a troublesome jet passenger, say PURSER Ship officer PASSIM Appearing multiple times subsequently, in footnotes STAMEN Flower part ROLAND Doonesbury reporter ___ Hedley YSIDRO San ___, Calif. MADE DO Got by with what one had CORNEL Philosopher/activist West

year 1, puzzle 1

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