Spell That’s “Broken” by 23-Across NYT Crossword Clue And Answers From April 10, 2024

Hello everyone! Good morning! I've got a fresh crossword puzzle ready to test your skills. Let's have some fun solving it together! The New York Times puzzles have been put together in lots of books by different publishers, especially Random House and St. Martin's Press, who are the main publishers now.

These puzzles also show up online on the newspaper's website, but you need a special subscription to get them. In 2007, a company called Majesco Entertainment made a video game called The New York Times Crosswords for the Nintendo DS. It has over 1,000 puzzles from every day of the week.

Other things, like electronic games with only Times puzzles and lots of stuff with Times puzzle designs, like cookie jars, baseballs, and coasters, have also been made. The first crossword puzzle was in the New York World newspaper way back in 1913.

It was a special Christmas edition, and it came out on Saturday, December 21st. This puzzle was something new and exciting for people to enjoy. It marked the start of a popular pastime that many still love today. Let's take a good look at the clue we have:

The spell that’s “broken” by 23-Across refers to a word that is "broken" by another word, specifically the word that fills the 23-Across position in the crossword puzzle. The word 23-Across somehow disrupts or interrupts the spelling of the other word referenced in the clue.

Clue

Spell that’s “broken” by 23-Across

Explanation

This clue refers to a word that is altered or "broken" by another word placed at the position labeled 23-Across in the crossword puzzle. The word at 23-Across disrupts the usual spelling or arrangement of the other word mentioned in the clue.

For example, if the word at 23-Across is "space" and the broken word is "out," the combination would create the word "spout." Here, the word "out" breaks the word "space" by inserting itself into the middle. In some cases, the word at 23-Across might be a prefix, suffix, or part of a compound word that changes the meaning or structure of the broken word.

Solving this clue requires identifying both the broken word and the word at 23-across, understanding how they interact to form a new word, and filling them into the crossword grid accordingly. This type of clue adds a layer of complexity to the puzzle by requiring solvers to recognize wordplay and think creatively about how words can be altered or combined to fit the puzzle's constraints.

Hints to Finding the Answers

If you're still having trouble finding the answers, don't worry! Here are some clues to make it easier for you to find the solution.

• The answer is a 3-letter word.

• The answer starts with H and ends with X.

• A magical number often associated with witchcraft.
• A six-sided figure commonly found in board games.
• A spell or curse, especially in folklore.
• A word typically used to describe casting spells or charms.
• Something is believed to bring bad luck or misfortune.

Answer

Fantastic job! You've cracked it—you've got the correct answer!

HEX

Explanation

A "hex" refers to a spell or curse in some magical beliefs or folklore. It's often seen in stories or movies about witches or wizards casting spells. In simpler terms, it's like a magical action meant to bring harm or misfortune to someone.The word "hex" can also be used informally to mean a jinx or bad luck.

For example, if someone says they're having a "hex" on their day, it means they're experiencing a streak of unfortunate events. People might talk about "hexes" in a playful or superstitious way, believing that certain actions or words can bring about bad luck. Overall, it's a term connected to the ideas of magic and superstition, often used to describe a negative influence or curse.

Possible Answers

CURSE

Explanation

A curse is like a magical spell that brings bad luck or harm to someone. In this context, the word "broken" suggests that the curse is undone or lifted. So, if there's a spell that's "broken" by 59-Across, it means that whatever was causing the curse is stopped or ended by the solution to the clue at 59-Across.

This could imply that the answer to the clue at 59-Across has the power to reverse the effects of the curse, like breaking its hold over someone or preventing it from causing harm. Curses are often associated with magic or superstition, and breaking them is seen as a way to bring relief or protection from their negative effects.

So, finding the solution to 59-Across could be like finding a way to break the curse and restore things to normal or bring about a positive change.

CHARM

Explanation

When we talk about a "spell," we're usually referring to something magical or enchanting. In the context of a crossword puzzle clue, the word "spell" can also mean a set of letters that form a word. So, when the clue mentions a "spell" that's "broken" by another clue, it's asking for a word that's made by rearranging the letters of the first word.

In this case, the clue "17-Across" refers to another answer in the puzzle, and the word "broken" suggests that we need to rearrange the letters of the word associated with "17-Across" to create the answer. For example, if "17-Across" is the word "CHARM," then the "spell" that's "broken" by it could be another word made by rearranging the letters of "CHARM," such as "MARCH" or "CRAM." So, in simpler terms, the clue is asking us to find a word that can be created using the same letters as the word "charm" when they are rearranged.

POX

Explanation

The word "pox" is a term used to describe a contagious disease, typically referring to smallpox or chickenpox. In the context of a crossword puzzle clue like "Spell that's 'broken' by 49-Across," it suggests that the word "pox" is somehow altered or "broken" by another word or phrase given as the clue for 49-Across.

This alteration could involve rearranging the letters of "pox" or combining them with the letters of the clue for 49-Across to form a new word or phrase that fits the puzzle's theme or pattern. For example, if the clue for 49-Across is "magic spell," then "pox" might be combined with "magic" to form the word "smallpox," thereby fulfilling both the clue for 49-Across and the requirement of the puzzle.

Overall, the clue "Spell that's 'broken' by 49-Across" prompts the solver to find a creative way to modify the word "pox" to fit the puzzle's parameters.