They surround pupils - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "They surround pupils," is a classic example of a straightforward definition clue that plays on a word with two common meanings. It's a great entry point into a puzzle, often found on a Monday or Tuesday, that helps solvers build confidence and get a foothold in the grid.

Clue Analysis

The clue is a simple declarative sentence. Let's break it down:

• "They": This pronoun immediately signals that the answer will be a plural noun.
• "surround": This verb indicates a spatial relationship - something is on the outside of something else.
• "pupils": This is the key word. It has two primary meanings:
  1. Students in a school.
  2. The black circular opening in the center of the eye.

The phrase "surround pupils" makes much more sense in the anatomical context. While you could argue that things like desks or classrooms surround student pupils, it's a much more direct and literal description for a part of the eye. The crossword puzzle loves this kind of direct, biological definition.

Thinking Approaches

A solver's first step is to disambiguate the word "pupil."

1. Initial thought: "Pupils" as students. What surrounds students? Teachers? Walls? Desks? These answers might not fit the letter count or the crossing entries. This path often leads to a dead end.
2. The "Aha!" moment: The solver pivots to the other meaning of "pupil" - the part of the eye.
3. Mental Visualization: Picture an eye. What part physically encircles the dark center (the pupil)? The colored part.
4. Recall the name: That colored part is called the iris.
5. Check the clue again: The clue starts with "They," requiring a plural. The plural of iris is irises.

This process, moving from a common but incorrect context to a more specific and fitting one, is a fundamental crossword-solving skill.

Background Context

The iris is a fascinating part of the eye. Its primary function is to control the diameter and size of the pupil, thus regulating the amount of light that reaches the retina. The color of the iris, which can range from blue to green to brown, is determined by the amount of melanin pigment.

The word "iris" also refers to a genus of flowering plants, which is a very common crossword answer itself. Clues for the flower might be something like "Flower named for a rainbow goddess" or "Orris root source." The anatomical context of this clue, however, makes it clear which "iris" is intended.

Conclusion

This clue is a perfect example of a simple definition that hinges on recognizing the correct context of a single word. Once you identify "pupils" as the anatomical feature, the answer becomes clear. It's a solid, fair clue that rewards basic biological knowledge.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This clue refers to a part of the body.
2. Hint 2: It's a feature of the eye.
3. Hint 3: This is the part of the eye that contains color.
4. Hint 4: The answer is the plural form of the colored ring in the eye.