NEA Crossword Puzzle

ACROSS

1 Sharp bark 5 Be in debt 8 Freighter destination 12 Range in Asia 13 Whale school 14 Poet’s black 15 Tykes 16 Pause fillers 17 Graceful rhythm 18 Toward the rudder 20 Sheltered 21 Mouths, in zoology 22 Stopped for lunch 23 Reddish dye 26 Spot 29 Winning serves 30 Smart remark 31 Wield an ax 33 Hunters’ org. 34 Round dwelling 35 Immerse 36 Big to-do 38 Chickens 39 Do sums 40 “Psst!” 41 1492 vessel 43 Nordiques’ home 46 Army base 47 Computer glitch 48 Theta preceders 50 Thrust-and-parry sword 51 Future fish 52 Paquin of “True Blood” 53 Must-have 54 Broadcast 55 Alliance acronym

DOWN

1 Talk on and on 2 Lamb’s alias 3 Young chaps 4 Detroit NBAers 5 Met production 6 Tattered 7 MS polishers 8 Lead shot 8 9 Tony relative 10 Starle4t’s dream 11 Cable network 19 Historic time1 20 Spin like —— Dismounted 22 23 Chinese dynasty 24 Neutral shade 25 Least-varying tide 26 Hamilton foe 27 Chuck wagon meal 28 Get better 30 View from the dorm 32 Cal. units 34 Luke Skywalker’s guru 35 Tofu base 37 Harangued 38 Rate 40 More colossal 41 Slangy turndown 42 “Um-hmm” (2 wds.) 43 Je ne sais — 44 Mediterranean landmark 45 Pessimist’s word 46 Ink partner 47 Bikini top 49 — Paulo