NYT Spelling Bee Hints & Analysis

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• acacia any of various spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Acacia
• acai
• accept make use of or accept for some purpose
• acetal any organic compound formed by adding alcohol molecules to aldehyde molecules
• acetate a salt or ester of acetic acid
• acetic relating to or containing acetic acid
• alpaca wool of the alpaca
• apace with speed
• apiece to or from every one of two or more (considered individually)
• attic of or relating to Attica or its inhabitants or to the dialect spoken in Athens in classical times
• cacti any succulent plant of the family Cactaceae native chiefly to arid regions of the New World and usually having spines
• calcite a common mineral consisting of crystallized calcium carbonate; a major constituent of limestone
• call call a meeting; invite or command to meet
• calla South African plant widely cultivated for its showy pure white spathe and yellow spadix
• cape a strip of land projecting into a body of water
• capital uppercase
• caplet
• catalpa tree of the genus Catalpa with large leaves and white flowers followed by long slender pods
• catcall utter catcalls at
• cattail tall erect herbs with sword-shaped leaves; cosmopolitan in fresh and salt marshes
• cattle domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
• celiac of or in or belonging to the cavity of the abdomen
• cell (biology) the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms; they may exist as independent units of life (as in monads) or may form colonies or tissues as in higher plants and animals
• celli
• cilia
• cite refer to
• clap clap one's hands together
• cleat provide with cleats
• clip run at a moderately swift pace
• eclat enthusiastic approval
• eclectic selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
• ecliptic the great circle representing the apparent annual path of the sun; the plane of the Earth's orbit around the sun; makes an angle of about 23 degrees with the equator
• elect elected but not yet installed in office
• electee
• elicit call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
• elliptic characterized by extreme economy of expression or omission of superfluous elements
• elliptical characterized by extreme economy of expression or omission of superfluous elements
• epic very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)
• epileptic of or relating to or characteristic of epilepsy
• icicle ice resembling a pendent spear, formed by the freezing of dripping water
• iliac of or relating to the ilium
• illicit contrary to or forbidden by law
• ipecac a medicinal drug used to evoke vomiting (especially in cases of drug overdose or poisoning)
• italic of or relating to the Italic languages
• lace do lacework
• lactate give suck to
• lacteal relating to or consisting of or producing or resembling milk
• lactic of or relating to or obtained from milk (especially sour milk or whey)
• laic characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy
• laical characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy
• lattice an arrangement of points or particles or objects in a regular periodic pattern in 2 or 3 dimensions
• lice a person who has a nasty or unethical character undeserving of respect
• licit authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law
• lilac of a pale purple color
• pace walk with slow or fast paces
• pact a written agreement between two states or sovereigns
• palace the governing group of a kingdom
• peace harmonious relations; freedom from disputes
• pellicle thin protective membrane in some protozoa
• peptic relating to or promoting digestion
• pica a linear unit (1/6 inch) used in printing
• piccata
• piece create by putting components or members together
• placate cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
• place place somebody in a particular situation or location
• tacet
• tacit implied by or inferred from actions or statements
• tact consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
• tactic a plan for attaining a particular goal
• tactical of or pertaining to tactic or tactics
• tactile producing a sensation of touch
• tailpiece appendage added to extend the length of something
• talc apply talcum powder to (one's body)