Author: Morton J. Mendelson
Editor: Will Shortz
Across
| Accelerated path of advancement |
FAST |
| Ballot with votes for multiple parties |
SPLIT |
| Cherish |
HOLD |
| ___ manual |
USER |
| Pre-nursing homes? |
UTERI |
| Female friend, in French |
AMIE |
| Nothin’ |
NADA |
| Potter’s area of expertise |
MAGIC |
| Kind of bean in succotash |
LIMA |
| Special talents |
KNACKS |
| Inquire about the health of |
ASKAFTER |
| Product once advertised with the slogan “Everything you love about coffee without everything you don’t” |
SANKA |
| What an office computer whiz might provide, for short |
ITHELP |
| Last Julio-Claudian emperor |
NERO |
| Promotion for a new credit account, maybe |
TEASER |
| Stimulating drug, informally |
PEP |
| Bit of traditional Polynesian attire |
GRASS |
| Mixed drink mixer |
SODA |
| Question often preceded by “But …” |
ISITART |
| Stayed in shape |
KEPTFIT |
| Big bundle |
BALE |
| Novelist Wharton |
EDITH |
| Eroded, with “away” |
ATE |
| Ultra-rapid transit options |
BULLET |
| Orcinus ___ (marine species) |
ORCA |
| Bit of cowhand’s gear |
LARIAT |
| Game that everyone but one person barely loses? |
STRIP |
| Many North Africans |
SAHARANS |
| “Interesting idea, but … huh-uh” |
YEAHNO |
| Kick back |
LOAF |
| “OK, that’s it for me!” |
IGIVE |
| Crash, with “out” |
CONK |
| Prefix with thesis |
ANTI |
| Silently acknowledge |
NODAT |
| Toon with yellow fur |
ODIE |
| U.K. network moniker, with “the” |
BEEB |
| Smirnoff competitor, familiarly |
STOLI |
| One with an eye on the future? |
SEER |
Down
| Low states |
FUNKS |
| Downward dog in yoga, e.g. |
ASANA |
| Hatchback alternative |
SEDAN |
| – |
TRACK |
| Totals |
SUMS |
| Org. that may be involved in field trip planning |
PTA |
| Musical passages with smooth, connected notes |
LEGATOS |
| Kind of terrier |
IRISH |
| – |
TICKET |
| :30 or 2:30, e.g. |
HALFPAST |
| Drop |
OMIT |
| Shade of green |
LIME |
| – |
DEAR |
| Mother in the Hundred Acre Wood |
KANGA |
| Sierra Nevada, e.g. |
ALE |
| Really ticked off |
IRATE |
| What you might do on the side of caution |
ERR |
| Two-seater, perhaps |
SOFA |
| Toolbar heading |
EDIT |
| – |
RATE |
| ___ Xtra (soft drink) |
PIBB |
| Biblical twin |
ESAU |
| – |
PILL |
| – |
SKIRT |
| Bend the truth, say |
TELLAFIB |
| When doubled, “You get the idea” |
ETC |
| Adolescence, for one |
PHASE |
| “Copy me” |
DOASIDO |
| You might play something by this |
EAR |
| – |
TRAINS |
| Expensive bar |
INGOT |
| Section of Chipotle’s menu |
TACOS |
| ___ Island |
RHODE |
| Bellybutton type, informally |
INNIE |
| – |
POKER |
| Big slice |
SLAB |
| Top-notch |
AONE |
| “I am free of all prejudices. I ___ everyone equally”: W. C. Fields |
HATE |
| Subject of a hairy hoax |
YETI |
| Kilmer of Batman fame |
VAL |