45 Down
NYT Daily • August 16, 2025
___ Hari
Answer:
MATA
Hint:
This infamous spy’s name translates to "eye" in Malay and Indonesian.
Explanation:
This clue refers to Mata Hari, the famous stage name of Margaretha Zelle, a Dutch exotic dancer and courtesan who became notorious as a spy during World War I. The blank signals you’re looking for her first name, which is "Mata" in her well-known pseudonym. It’s a straightforward fill-in based on historical and pop culture knowledge.