Intoxicate, quaintly - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Intoxicate, quaintly," is a wonderful example of how a single adverb can completely guide a solver's thinking. It asks for a synonym for "intoxicate" but with a specific, old-fashioned flavor. This type of clue tests vocabulary depth beyond common, everyday words.

Clue Analysis

The clue has two distinct parts:

1. "Intoxicate": This is the core definition. It can mean to make someone lose control of their faculties, typically with alcohol. It also has a powerful figurative meaning: to exhilarate or stupefy someone, as with love or passion.
2. "quaintly": This is the crucial qualifier. It tells us the answer is not a modern or common word. We're looking for something archaic, literary, or old-fashioned. Words like DRUNK, TIPSY, or even INEBRIATE don't quite fit this stylistic note.

The correct answer must satisfy both conditions: it must mean "to intoxicate" (in either sense) and it must sound like it's from another era.

Thinking Approaches

A solver might approach this clue in a few ways:

1. Synonym Brainstorming: Start with "intoxicate." List synonyms: inebriate, stupefy, befuddle, enamor, infatuate, captivate. Now, apply the "quaintly" filter. Which of these words feel old-timey? Befuddle is close, but the answer we're looking for is more specific.

2. Focus on the Qualifier: Think of words you've encountered in older literature (like Shakespeare or Dickens) that describe someone being drunk or hopelessly in love. This mental context shift is often key for clues with words like "quaintly," "of yore," or "in olden times."

3. Letter-Based Deduction: If you have some crossing letters, they can be a huge help. For example, if you have _ _ S O T, you might recognize the word "sot," an old term for a drunkard. This can lead you directly to the verb form, which is the answer.

Background Context

The word BESOT comes from the Middle English prefix be- (meaning "to make" or "to affect with") and the word sot (meaning a fool or a drunkard). To besot someone is literally "to make a sot of them." This can be through excessive drinking, which dulls the senses, or through an all-consuming infatuation, which can make a person act foolishly.

While not common in everyday speech today, it's a word that still appears in literature to convey a deep, almost stupefying level of intoxication or love. Its archaic feel makes it a favorite for crossword constructors looking to add a little flavor to the grid.

Conclusion

This clue is a great lesson in paying close attention to every word. The adverb "quaintly" is not just for flavor; it's the primary signpost pointing away from modern synonyms and toward a more obscure, literary answer. By combining the definition with the stylistic note, solvers can zero in on BESOT, a perfect fit for a quaint way to say "intoxicate."

Hints

1. Hint 1: Think of a word that means to make someone foolish or stupid, often through drink or love.
2. Hint 2: This word is often used in the context of being completely smitten or infatuated with someone.
3. Hint 3: The word is an archaic or old-fashioned term, as suggested by the clue's qualifier.
4. Hint 4: It shares a root with the word 'sot,' which means a habitual drunkard.