This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Friday, January 2, 2026 (48 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Friday puzzles are themeless and hard, with clues that are vague on purpose.
Answer length: 4 squares
First letter
L _ _ _
First and last letters
L _ _ N
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About the answer
LIEN as a word: (law) A right to take possession of a debtor’s property as security until a debt or duty is discharged; (uncommon, possibly obsolete) The spleen.
LIEN has been an answer 3 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since January 2, 2026.
Other clues with the same answer
More clues from this puzzle
- Try-hard (43 Down)
- Kind of acid (45 Down)
- Stem component (46 Down)
- Capitulate (47 Down)
- Table outside (49 Down)
- Big purveyor of health supplements (50 Down)
- Gender-neutral term in a family (52 Down)
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