French word before a maiden name pista do crossword do nyt

The clue "French word before a maiden name" is likely looking for a two-part answer where the first part is a French word that commonly precedes a name. In French, the word "née" is often used to indicate a maiden name. It means “born” and is commonly seen in the phrase: “Marie Curie, née Sklodowska,” which indicates her maiden name was Sklodowska before she was married and adopted the surname Curie. Now, if we analyze the clue further: - The phrase "before a maiden name" suggests that this French word will appear in front of a woman's name. - The letters “n,” “e,” and potentially even “é” might be present or indicated in other parts of the crossword puzzle. To construct the answer, we have: - NÉE Thus, the answer is likely "NÉE". ### Tips for Solving Similar Clues: 1. **Identify Key Words**: Always look for keywords in the clue. Words like "before", "after", or "indicates" can help lead to the structure of the answer. 2. **Think of Common Phrases**: Sometimes clues will refer to established phrases or terms commonly known. 3. **Consider Cultural Context**: If a clue includes a foreign language, consider familiar phrases or words that are commonly used in that context. 4. **Cross-reference**: Use the letters you might already have in the puzzle to filter your options. If other answers intersect with this one, they can help confirm any letters you might not be sure about. Using these techniques will help not just in this crossword clue but in approaching similar ones in the future.