35 Across

NYT Daily ? September 24, 2025

A hawk carrying a dove in its talons, in Book 15 of the "Odyssey"

Answer:

OMEN

Hint:

In Homer’s epic, this symbolic sight foretells Telemachus’ future victory, appearing as a bird of prey seizing its gentle opposite mid-flight.

Explanation:

In Book 15 of the Odyssey, a hawk snatching a dove in its talons appears as a symbolic sign—an omen—interpreted by characters in the story. The clue points directly to this moment, where the bird of prey’s action foreshadows events or conveys a message from the gods. "Omen" fits because it’s the term for such a prophetic or meaningful natural occurrence in ancient Greek culture. The answer plays on the literal image while nodding to its deeper role in the epic.

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General solving tip

Match the clue's grammar: plural with plural, past with past. If the clue ends in 's' or uses a past-tense verb, mirror that form in the entry.

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