Unit of distance that can precede "stone" and "age" nyt crossword clue

To solve the clue "Unit of distance that can precede 'stone' and 'age'", we can break down the clue into two parts: 1. **Understanding the clue**: The phrase "unit of distance" suggests we are looking for a measurement of distance. The second part, "that can precede 'stone' and 'age'", indicates that this unit can form well-known phrases or terms with the words "stone" and "age". 2. **Identifying possible units of distance**: Common units of distance include millimeter, centimeter, meter, kilometer, mile, and light-year. Given the context of the phrase, it's often a shorter, more common unit rather than something more technical. 3. **Testing candidates**: - "Mile" can precede "stone" to form "mile stone" (which is a common term used to signify a milestone) and can also precede "age" to form "mile age" (which is not standard). - "Kilometer" is unlikely because it forms "kilometer stone,” which doesn’t sound right. - "Meter" doesn’t go with either term. - "Furlong" is rarely used outside certain contexts of horse racing. 4. **Finalizing the answer**: The most effective fit is "mile," a unit of distance that is both commonly recognized and can pair contextually with "stone" (milestone). Based on this analysis, the answer should be “MILE”. **Tips for solving crossword clues**: - Look for common phrases or idiomatic expressions involving the words in the clue. - Think about synonyms or variations of the main terms in the clue. - Consider the number of letters in the answer based on the crossword grid. - Utilize knowledge from various fields (history, literature, science) that may pertain to the clue. - Keep flexibility in mind for words that can have multiple meanings or uses in different contexts.