This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, February 12, 2026 (5 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Thursday puzzles often have a trick, such as a rebus (several letters in one square) or answers that bend the rules.
How to read this clue
The asterisk marks a theme answer. It ties in to the puzzle's theme, which a "revealer" clue elsewhere in the grid usually explains.
Answer length: 5 squares
First letter
L _ _ _ _
First and last letters
L _ _ _ X
Show the answer
About the answer
LATEX as a word: Natural latex rubber, especially nonvulcanized rubber, such as is used in making latex gloves, latex condoms, and latex clothing; The milky sap of several trees that coagulates on exposure to air; used to make rubber.
LATEX has been an answer 4 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since December 1, 2025.
Other clues with the same answer
More clues from this puzzle
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- Tree of knowledge locale (3 Down)
- Directory name (4 Down)
- Ones "over there" in "Over There," in brief (6 Down)
- Sacrilegious (7 Down)
- Legend, e.g. (8 Down)
- Beat in chess (9 Down)
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