This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, February 12, 2026 (45 Across). 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.
Answer length: 3 squares
First letter
D _ _
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About the answer
DNA as a word: (informal, loosely) The part of a living thing that carries genetic information; (figuratively) The fundamental nature or values of a person, or an organization or other thing, especially when considered as innate and/or immutable.
DNA has been an answer 15 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since November 14, 2025.
Other clues with the same answer
- Tool for tracing family trees
- Part of what makes you you
- Letters from your folks?
- Genome component
- Little bit of life?
- "Blueprint" for life
- Molecule that might be modeled with Twizzlers and gummies in biology class
- Bit of forensic evidence
- Molecule containing adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine
- The stuff of life
- Cellular data plan?
- Double-helix molecule
More clues from this puzzle
- Small surgical instrument (40 Across)
- Wraps up (42 Across)
- Wield (43 Across)
- Ingrid Bergman's "Casablanca" role (44 Across)
- College subj. that can be evolutionary or behavioral (46 Across)
- Lightweight fabric for a handkerchief (47 Across)
- Tomato type (50 Across)
- Digs for dogs (53 Across)
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