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.

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