With little excess - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "With little excess," is a classic example of a definitional clue that asks for an adverb. It's a straightforward puzzle piece that relies on a solid vocabulary and an understanding of how parts of speech work in clues. Let's break down how to arrive at the answer.

Clue Analysis

The phrase "With little excess" describes a state or manner of being. The key is to translate this description into a single word.

• "With...": This preposition often signals that the answer will be an adverb, describing how something is done or what quality it possesses. For example, "With care" could lead to CAREFULLY.
• "...little excess": This is the core definition. It points to concepts like efficiency, spareness, minimalism, or a lack of fat.

The solver's task is to find an adverb that means "in a way that has little excess."

Thinking Approaches

A methodical approach can make solving this type of clue very reliable.

1. Brainstorm Synonyms: First, think of words that mean "little excess." Your list might include: spare, trim, economical, efficient, or lean.
2. Identify the Part of Speech: As noted in the analysis, the "With..." construction strongly suggests an adverb. Most adverbs describing a manner of action end in "-ly".
3. Combine and Test: Now, try adding "-ly" to your brainstormed list:
   • Sparely - A strong candidate.
   • Trimly - Also a good possibility.
   • Economically - Fits the meaning.
   • Efficiently - Another solid option.
   • Leanly - This also fits perfectly.
4. Use Crossings: At this point, you have several valid synonyms. This is where crossing letters are essential. If you have even one or two letters from other words, you can quickly eliminate the incorrect options and confirm the intended answer. In this case, the crossings would point directly to the correct word.

Background Context

The word lean is a versatile and common term in English. Its primary meaning is to incline or rest against something. However, its adjectival form, meaning "thin" or "containing little fat," is what's relevant here. This meaning has been extended metaphorically to business and management, as in "lean manufacturing," a system focused on minimizing waste and maximizing productivity.

The adverb form, leanly, while less common in everyday conversation than a word like efficiently, is perfectly correct and often used in writing to convey a sense of spareness or conciseness. For example, one might describe a novel as "leanly plotted" or a company as being "run leanly."

Conclusion

"With little excess" is a great example of a clue that's more about vocabulary than wordplay. By identifying the core meaning and the required adverbial form, solvers can generate a list of potential answers and use the grid's crossing entries to zero in on the correct one. It's a satisfying solve that reinforces fundamental crossword skills.

Hints

1. Hint 1: Describes an action done in a very efficient or trimmed-down way.
2. Hint 2: The answer is an adverb, indicating how something is done without waste.
3. Hint 3: Think of the term for a cut of meat with very little fat, and add a common adverbial suffix.
4. Hint 4: This word ends in '-ly' and means 'in a spare or economical manner'.

The answer is LEANLY.