Supervised - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Supervised," is a classic example of a straightforward definition clue often found in crossword puzzles. It asks for a direct synonym, and its past-tense form provides a crucial hint for solvers. Let's break down how to approach this common type of clue.

Clue Analysis

The clue is the single word "Supervised." The "-ed" ending is a significant giveaway that the answer is likely a verb in the past tense. The core meaning is to watch over, direct, or manage a task or a group of people. The puzzle is looking for another word that captures this exact meaning and tense.

Thinking Approaches

When faced with a clue like this, a few strategies can lead you to the answer:

1. Direct Synonym Brainstorming: Start by listing words that mean "supervised." You might think of managed, directed, ran, led, or handled. This is the most direct path.

2. Tense Matching: Since the clue is in the past tense, your answer must be as well. This helps you confirm that words like manage or supervise are incorrect, while managed or supervised are in the right form. The answer we're looking for will also be a past-tense verb.

3. Word Part Analysis: A more advanced technique is to break down the clue's etymology. "Supervised" comes from the Latin roots super- (meaning "over") and videre (meaning "to see"). Literally, it means "to see over." This can directly trigger the English equivalent, which is a compound word formed from "over" and the past tense of "see."

4. Using Crossings: As always, if you're stuck, getting a few letters from intersecting clues can be a game-changer. If you had O_E_S_W, the answer would likely jump out at you much more quickly.

Background Context

The relationship between "supervise" and the answer is a great example of how English has evolved. The word "supervise" was borrowed from Latin, a common source for more formal or technical vocabulary. The answer, on the other hand, is a native English word with Germanic roots that expresses the exact same concept. Crossword constructors love to play on these linguistic parallels, where a Latin-based word clues a Germanic-based one, or vice versa.

Conclusion

"Supervised" is a solid, accessible clue that rewards a fundamental crossword skill: identifying synonyms and matching verb tenses. By thinking through synonyms or even breaking down the word's roots, solvers can confidently arrive at the correct answer. It's a reminder that sometimes the most direct approach is the best one.

Hints

1. Hint 1: A synonym for managed or directed.
2. Hint 2: Think about a past-tense verb.
3. Hint 3: It implies watching over a project or a group of people.
4. Hint 4: The word is a compound of two smaller words, one meaning 'above' and the other being the past tense of 'to look at'.

The answer is OVERSAW.