The New York Times crossword puzzle

Across

1 Discuss, as an issue 8 Internet nuisance … or a hint to four answers in this puzzle 15 Birthstone for most Leos 16 Noted piranha habitat 17 Shade of green 18 Rambles 19 Classic strategy in the boxing ring

20 —

22 What inmates do until they’re released 23 Your: Fr.

24 It’s off the beaten path 27 “How cool!” 28 Hedonistic 29 — 32 Ankle-related 35 Burgundy or claret 38 Secret DC headquarters 39 Crateful from Florida 40 Like many chicken cutlets 41 Most welcoming 42 Like seven teams in the N.H.L.

43 —

45 French word on some wedding announcements 46 Better than expected 49 Unruly head of hair

52 Labor 54 Where you may be going nowhere fast 55 —

56 More bananas 58 Fictional African kingdom in “Coming to America” 61 Bubble gum brand 62 Stretchy 63 Epic quest 64 Gander

Down

1 Not together 2 R&B trio Bell Biv ___ 3 Releases, as new music 4 Crop in a paddy 5 Author LeShan 6 Lawn order 7 Got ready to sing the national anthem 8 Launched a tech start-up? 9 ___ pro nobis 10 One of a famous seafaring trio 11 Loosened, as

laces

12 “The StarSpangled Banner,” basically 13 Zoning unit 14 Fashion mag suggestions, in two senses 21 ___ Xing 24 “How tragic” 25 “Eureka!” 26 Ancient relative of a flute

27 It’s black and white and wet all over 29 Tiny bits of work 30 Bygone Nair rival 31 Some N.F.L. highlights 32 Reid of “American Pie” 33 “Do you have two fives for ___?” 34 Misguided 36 Sped 37 Perch for a bouncing baby 38 Original airer of “The Office” 44 It may be found between “here” and “there” 46 Mujer’s boys 47 Jambalayas 48 Ring around a watch face 49 Bowlful next to a restaurant cash register 50 “Golden” song 51 Finish second at the track 52 Warty creature 53 Like mud 55 Pioneer in commercial spaceflight 56 Bit of news in the W.S.J. 57 Squeeze (out) 59 Teléfono greeting 60 China’s ___ Zedong