38 Across

NYT Daily ? September 16, 2025

Miss Havisham's ward in "Great Expectations"

Answer:

ESTELLA

Hint:

This cold-hearted beauty was raised by Miss Havisham to break men's hearts, including Pip’s, and shares her name with the Spanish word for "star."

Explanation:

This clue refers to Estella, the cold and beautiful young woman raised by Miss Havisham in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. Miss Havisham adopts her as a child and grooms her to break men’s hearts, making Estella a key figure in Pip’s story. The name fits directly—no wordplay—just a straightforward literary reference to the character.

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General solving tip

When a clue says 'informally,' 'slangily,' or 'casually,' think slang, clipped forms, or texting abbreviations. Try the short casual word you'd use in speech or a message.

More tips → General Hints