Crossword puzzles are full of subtle wordplay, insidious synonyms, and innocent-looking clues. As innocent as they look, puzzle solvers face a hard time finding the correct answer for these clues. One such clue is the “fencing sword” crossword clue, which has created quite a stir in the puzzle-solving world. Fencing is a popular Olympic sport. But when you’re looking at a grid with four or five blank squares and scant hints, this harmless-sounding clue suddenly becomes a puzzle. In this guide, we’ll take you through all the most popular solutions to the fencing sword crossword clue, tell you when to apply each one, and provide you with advice on how to solve them with ease and speed—no fencing experience necessary.
Meaning of Fencing Sword Crossword Clue
Before we dive deeper to find the solution to the “Fencing Sword” crossword clue, we need to understand its meaning first. The clue typically refers to a sword that players use in the sport of fencing. Fencing, as a sport, utilises three different types of swords: the épée, the foil, and the saber. Each has its particular features, regulations, and most relevantly for crossword solvers, the number of letters. And here’s the catch: although all three weapons are accurate in real-world terms, only one of them will work for your puzzle. Whether it’s the vowel-dense EPEE, the newbie-friendly FOIL, or the more aggressive SABER, determining the correct one can make or break your game.
Probable Answers
Now that we have successfully understood the meaning of the “fencing sword” crossword clue, we can look for the possible answers. Here is a list that the puzzle solvers frequently use for the clues related to fencing swords.
- EPEE: This 4-letter word is the most popular solution for the fencing sword crossword clue. An épée features a heavier blade with a valid target area of the whole body. It’s the default solution for most crossword constructors. So, if your puzzle grid displays a 4-letter gap, you can definitely try this one.
- FOIL: Another 4-letter word which is also a form of fencing sword. However, this one is a bit lighter than the épée. Players in beginning fencers’ classes frequently use foil as it has a limited area of target (torso only).
- SABER or SABRE: This is the third fencing sword. The spelling may vary depending on British and American English. Fencers use this sword for slashing and thrusting, with the valid target area being above the waist. So, if you can see a five-letter gap in your puzzle grid, this one can be the correct answer.
Tips for Solving Tough Crossword Puzzles
If you are new to puzzle solving, you need to know some quick tips to solve difficult crosswords.
- First, start with the easy 3-letter clues. They will help in revealing some letters for the difficult clues.
- Be careful of the wordplays. If you notice some odd phrasing, that can be a sign of wordplay.
- Make full use of the intersecting words to cross out the options.
- When the clues seem confusing, take a break and start with a refreshed mind.
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