NYT Mini Answer for Feb 22, 2025

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Possible words for each clue

1-Across. Size between sm. and lg.

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

MED XLS MED MED MED

4-Across. Sharp parts of forks

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE TINES KNIFE PRONG STEEL

6-Across. Cutting device in a woodworking shop

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

PLANERS BANDSAW CIRCLES SANDERS MILLING

8-Across. Louise ___, Pulitzer-winning author of "The Night Watchman" and "The Mighty Red"

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

ERDRICH NOVELIS

9-Across. Faux meat option at Thanksgiving

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

TOFURKY PORTION VEGETAL TURKEYS MEATLES

10-Across. Songs, informally

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HORNS TUNES ALBUM SONGS TRACK

11-Across. Drug also called acid

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

LYS LSD TAB

1-Down. Consciously focused on the present moment

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

AWAKENE MINDFUL CONSCIO ATTENTI PRESENT

2-Down. Evasive maneuvers

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

EVASION ENDRUNS MANEUVR EVADING ELUDEOS

3-Down. Wished for

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

ASPIRED HOPEDFO DESIRED LONGEDL WISHEDL

4-Down. Kind of deck with four suits: wands, cups, swords and pentacles

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

CARDS TAROT SUITS WANDS PENTA

5-Down. Tackles of the quarterback

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

SACKS BLOCK TACKS ARMED

6-Down. "Oh yeah? Wanna ___?"

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

YES BET WIN

7-Down. Preschooler's repeated question

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

YES HOW WHY ARE YOU

Based on the hints provided, have you managed to deduce the solution? If you're still struggling, please refer to the possible answers listed below.

Today's Answers Explained

Size between sm. and lg.

The hint "Size between sm. and lg." is referring to clothing sizes.

In English, "sm." typically stands for "small" and "lg." stands for "large".

The word "MED" in English is short for "medium".

Therefore, the hint "Size between sm. and lg." is referring to a size that falls between small and large, which is medium.

Sharp parts of forks

The relationship between the hint "Sharp parts of forks" and the word "TINES in English" is that the sharp parts of a fork are called tines.

Cutting device in a woodworking shop

The word "BANDSAW" in English is related to the hint "Cutting device in a woodworking shop" because a bandsaw is a type of power saw that is commonly used in woodworking shops for cutting various types of wood and other materials. It consists of a long, thin blade that is stretched between two wheels, and is used to make precise cuts in wood and other materials.

Louise ___, Pulitzer-winning author of "The Night Watchman" and "The Mighty Red"

The relationship between the hint "Louise ___, Pulitzer-winning author of "The Night Watchman" and "The Mighty Red"" and the word "ERDRICH in English" is that Louise Erdrich is the Pulitzer-winning author of "The Night Watchman" and "The Mighty Red" is likely a reference to her novel "The Round House" or possibly another work, however, "The Night Watchman" is a known work by Louise Erdrich.

Faux meat option at Thanksgiving

The word "Tofurky" is related to the hint "Faux meat option at Thanksgiving" because Tofurky is a brand of meat substitute made from tofu and other plant-based ingredients. It is often served as a main course during the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, particularly as a vegetarian or vegan alternative to traditional turkey.

Songs, informally

The word "TUNES" is related to the hint "Songs, informally" because "tunes" is a colloquial or informal term used to refer to songs.

Drug also called acid

The hint "Drug also called acid" is related to the word "LSD" in English because LSD is a common nickname for the psychoactive substance Lysergic acid diethylamide.

Consciously focused on the present moment

The word "MINDFUL" in English is closely related to the concept of being "consciously focused on the present moment."

The term "mindful" originates from the Pali word "sati," which is a key concept in Buddhism. In Buddhist teachings, "sati" refers to the practice of being fully present and aware of one's thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the current moment. This practice involves cultivating a non-judgmental awareness of the present, without getting caught up in thoughts of the past or worries about the future.

In modern English, the term "mindful" has been adopted to describe a state of being fully engaged and aware of one's experiences in the present moment. It involves paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to be with what is, as it is.

The relationship between "consciously focused on the present moment" and "mindful" is that being mindful is a state of being that involves being consciously focused on the present moment. It requires a deliberate and intentional effort to cultivate awareness of one's thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the present, without getting caught up in distractions or mental chatter.

Evasive maneuvers

The hint "Evasive maneuvers" is related to the word "ENDRUNS" in English because "end runs" is a common idiomatic expression that means evasive maneuvers or actions taken to avoid or sidestep a problem, obstacle, or opponent. In this context, "end runs" refers to a tactic used in various fields, such as sports, politics, or business, to bypass or circumvent a challenge or adversary.

Wished for

The hint "Wished for" is related to the word "DESIRED" in English as both convey a sense of longing or wanting something.

• "Wished for" implies a desire or a hope for something to happen or be obtained.
• "Desired" means strongly wanted or wished for, often with a sense of need or preference.

Both phrases express a sense of yearning or craving for something, indicating a strong emotional attachment or attachment to a particular outcome or object.

Kind of deck with four suits: wands, cups, swords and pentacles

The hint "Kind of deck with four suits: wands, cups, swords and pentacles" is related to the word "TAROT" in English because a standard Tarot deck consists of four suits:

1. Wands (or Rods)
2. Cups
3. Swords
4. Pentacles (or Coins)

Tackles of the quarterback

The hint "Tackles of the quarterback" is related to the word "SACKS" in English because in American football, a sack is a tackle of the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage, resulting in a loss of yards for the offense.

"Oh yeah? Wanna ___?"

The phrase "Oh yeah? Wanna ___?" is a common idiomatic expression used to challenge or dare someone, often in a playful or competitive manner.

In this context, the word "BET" fits perfectly, as it is a verb that means to make a wager or a prediction, often with the intention of winning something.

So, the completed phrase would be: "Oh yeah? Wanna bet?" This expression is often used to imply a challenge or a prediction, and the person being challenged is expected to respond with a similar level of confidence or a willingness to take on the challenge.

Preschooler's repeated question

The hint "Preschooler's repeated question" is related to the word "WHY" in English because it is a common phrase used to describe the repetitive questioning often associated with young children, particularly preschoolers.

When children are learning about the world, they often ask "why" to understand the reasons behind things. This questioning can become repetitive as they continue to seek explanations for various phenomena.

The word "WHY" in English is a fundamental interrogative word used to ask for reasons or explanations. In the context of preschoolers, the repeated use of "why" is a characteristic of their learning and development process.