June 8, 2026 Daily / 17A / 4 letters
Puzzle clues NYT Crossword
Half ___ (when the minute hand points down) NYT Crossword Clue
Use the hint first, then reveal the answer only if you need it.
Hint
The blank is doing most of the work here. Look for a 4-letter entry that completes the phrase naturally.
How to solve it
Read the clue type first
For the clue: Half ___ (when the minute hand points down), first identify whether the wording is direct, referential, abbreviated, or playful. This one is best treated as a fill-in-the-blank.
- The blank is doing most of the work here. Look for a 4-letter entry that completes the phrase naturally.
- The answer slot has 4 letters, which narrows the clue to a specific grid shape.
- This clue appears at 17A in the NYT Crossword, so check the Down crossings for confirmation.
Reveal Answer Hide Answer
PAST
Explanation
Why This Answer Fits
PAST is the 4-letter answer for the clue: Half ___ (when the minute hand points down). The answer supplies the missing word or phrase in the clue, so reading the clue aloud with the answer inserted is the quickest check. In this NYT Crossword, it appears at 17A, so the crossing entries help verify the exact spelling.
- Grid entry: PAST in the grid.
- Answer pattern: _ _ _ _.
- Clue type: Fill-in-the-blank.
- PAST has 4 letters, matching the required slot for 17A.
Answer history
Other NYT Crossword Clues Using PAST
We have not seen many previous NYT clues for this answer yet.
View all PAST clues Position 17A
Answer length 4
Puzzle type Daily
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History
Clue History
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