22 Across

NYT Daily • July 31, 2025

Empty spaces

Answer:

LACUNAS

Hint:

["**Hint:** \"Gaps in knowledge or text, often found in manuscripts.\"\n\nThis hint guides the solver toward the idea of missing or empty spaces in a more specific context, making the answer more accessible without directly stating it."]

Explanation:

The clue **"Empty spaces"** leads to the answer **"LACUNAS"** through both direct definition and a touch of wordplay. - **Definition:** A *lacuna* (plural *lacunas*) is a gap, blank space, or missing part, often used in literature or science to describe an absence or void. This directly aligns with the idea of "empty spaces." - **Wordplay:** While the clue doesn’t rely on complex wordplay, the answer plays on the less common but precise term for empty spaces, rewarding solvers familiar with the word. Thus, the connection is straightforward—*"lacunas"* is a synonym for "empty spaces," making it a fitting answer.

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