Difference between revisions of "Crossword"
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Grids are usually square or sometimes rectangular, but sometimes comprise a sparse arrangement where each word intersects only one or a very few other words, and the spaces between answers is simply left blank. | Grids are usually square or sometimes rectangular, but sometimes comprise a sparse arrangement where each word intersects only one or a very few other words, and the spaces between answers is simply left blank. | ||
| − | Typically, the first square for each answer includes a small number that corresponds to one of the numbered clues. | + | Typically, the first square for each answer includes a small number that corresponds to one of the numbered clues. |
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| + | == Clues == | ||
| + | Crosswords normally have one of two types of clues: ''simple'', or ''cryptic''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In some cases, a crossword might come with both simple and cryptic clues, which may both refer to the same answers, or may be in effect two different crosswords both using the same grid. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Simple clues === | ||
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| + | Simple clues are words or short [[phrase]]s, for which the solution might be either a [[synonym]] of the clue (i.e. a word with a similar meaning) or an example of the clue. | ||
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| + | For example, if the clue was "[[Harbour]]", the answer might be "port" (a synonym) or "[[Aden]]" (the name of a particular harbour, in this case in [[Yemen]]). | ||
== Example == | == Example == | ||
Revision as of 12:35, August 15, 2007
A crossword (or crossword puzzle) is a word puzzle comprising a series of clues and a grid of squares into which the answers are written.
Description
At least in languages where text is written from left to right, the answers may be written "across" (horizontally from left to right) or "down" (vertically), one letter per square. Answers written across intersect answers written down, and the letters from solved clues can be used to help solve intersecting clues.
Not every square in a crossword grid is used, and unused squares are usually blacked out by the crossword compiler. Grids are usually square or sometimes rectangular, but sometimes comprise a sparse arrangement where each word intersects only one or a very few other words, and the spaces between answers is simply left blank.
Typically, the first square for each answer includes a small number that corresponds to one of the numbered clues.
Clues
Crosswords normally have one of two types of clues: simple, or cryptic.
In some cases, a crossword might come with both simple and cryptic clues, which may both refer to the same answers, or may be in effect two different crosswords both using the same grid.
Simple clues
Simple clues are words or short phrases, for which the solution might be either a synonym of the clue (i.e. a word with a similar meaning) or an example of the clue.
For example, if the clue was "Harbour", the answer might be "port" (a synonym) or "Aden" (the name of a particular harbour, in this case in Yemen).
Example
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Across 1. Vehicles on rails. |
Down 1. Large water container. |
See here for the solution.